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by S. P. Ward (Author)
It has been a considerable amount of time since an in depth book has appeared on Plato's myths. This new edition has been updated with Greek annotation drawn from the primary texts. It is one of the first studies to show the similarities and differences between Plato's own myths and the traditional kind of which he was so critical. It does, therefore, assess whether he was justified in his own use of myth. It also actively demonstrates the extent to which Plato's own myths support or undermine the philosophical ideas of the dialogues in which they are set. Detailed commentaries on the myths have been scarce in recent times, forfeited in favour of an analysis of a single myth or key passage, or general philosophical discussions concerning the muthos/ logos debate, or the moral value of philosophy over poetry. The present work actually does not shirk these debates, offering a number of new arguments and criticisms on points of detail. However, it also attempts to redress the balance, drawing general philosophical conclusions based on all the eschatological texts. Once achieved, the author explains exactly what the significance and pedagogic value of Plato's myths might have been. He achieves this in the tempered light of Plato's own criticisms of the poets and poetry. The book actively considers new possibilities and meanings, and tends to validate the conclusions of a hermeneutic approach towards its conclusion.
