An Explanation of the Esoteric and Ontological Principles of Unwritten Doctrines in Tübingen School and Their Role in Politics

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Philosophy, Allameh Tabataba`i University, Tehran

2 Ph.D Student of Philosophy. Isfahan University

10.22061/orj.2021.1585

Abstract

The theory that holds there are unwritten doctrines in Plato's philosophy, which is based on two ontological principles of the One and the Indefinite Dyad, was consolidated by Tübingen School. The unwritten doctrines were orally discussed at Plato's academy, and according to scholars of the Tübingen School, there is evidence in the works of Aristotle and the Platonists that proves this. Their documentation shows that the explanation of other subjects in Plato's philosophy, as well as his metaphysics, is rooted in these two principles. The One determines everything, and the Indefinite Dyad is the origin of indeterminacy and multiplicity. The One or Good is not only an ontological principle but the cause of all good. Thus, in Plato's works, One-Good, which is regulative in the cosmos and the model of justice, is the road map for polis (political community) and determines the multiplicity. Through latent justice in nature that follows these two principles, soul and polis can be mirrors held up to the universe and can approach unity and justice.

Keywords

References

Aristotle, Khorasani Sh. (Trans.) Metaphysics. Tehran: Hekmat Publication; 2015. Persian.
Dillon J. M. The Middle Platonists 80 B.C. To A.D. 220. Cornell University Press; 1977.
Gadamer H. G. Gesammelte Werke. Band 6 : Griechische Philosophie. Mohr Siebeck; 1985.
Gaiser K. Platons ungeschriebene Lehre Studien zur systematischen und geschichtlichen Begründung der Wissenschaften in der Platonischen Schule. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta; 1998.
Gerson L. P. From Plato to Platonism. Cornell University Press; 2017.
Iamblichus, Taylor, T. (Trans.) Iamblichus' Life of Pythagoras. London: Watkins; 1818.
Krämer H. J., Catan J. R. (Trans.) Plato and the Foundations of Metaphysics: A Work on the Theory of the Principles and Unwritten Doctrines of Plato. State University of New York Press; 1990.
Krämer H. J., Colvin C. (Trans.) Fichte, Schlegel, and the Infinite Interpretation of Plato. Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal 21; 1999.
Nikulin D. (ed.) The Other Plato: The Tübingen Interpretation of Plato's Inner-Academic Teachings. Albany: State University of New York Press; 2012.
Plato, Cooper J. M. (ed.) Plato: Complete Works. Indianapolis: Hackett; 2009.
Reale G., Catan J. R. (Trans.), Davies R. (Trans.) Toward a New Interpretation of Plato. Catholic University of America Press; 1997.
Reale G., Catan J. R. (Trans.) A History of Ancient Philosophy II: Plato and Aristotle. State University of New York Press;1990.
Szlezák T. A., Staehler T. Plato’s Unwritten Doctrines: A Discussion. Journal of Ancient Philosophy, 8(2), 160-166; 2014.
Szlezák T. A., Zanker G. (Trans.) Reading Plato. London: Routledge; 1999.
Journal of Ontological Researches
Volume 10, Issue 19
September 2021

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics