Knowledge in Plato’s Theaetetus

Plato's initial exploration of knowledge in his Theaetetus - an introduction

What is knowledge? Is it what we perceive with the senses? Or perception with some added element of the mind? Or is it beyond this?

Since so much of human activity arises from our grasp of knowledge – and sometimes our lack of it – it would seem to be essential for us to understand what knowledge is, and how it is to be obtained. Further, we should acknowledge the difference between belief and knowledge if we don't want to fall into the trap of thinking we know when we only believe. In the Theaetetus Plato broaches these matters as Socrates explores with an intelligent young man the central question, what is knowledge? Although the dialogue itself ends inconclusively, it introduces important concepts which are especially useful to the thinker in the light of contemporary assumption about knowledge and opinion. We will read some extracts from the dialogue, and give ourselves an hour to explore the emerging issues. This is the first of two evenings in which knowledge as understood by the Platonic tradition will be discussed: the second (on July 10th) will centre of Plato's Sophist in which he moves us closer to a position where we can draw clearer conclusions.

No previous experience of formal philosophy is required.

Entrance in free, but donations between £3-5 will be welcomed.

A PDF download of the extract we will be reading is available on our website together with further details of this and other Prometheus Trust's activities: www.prometheustrust.co.uk (the PDF is on the "London Monday Evenings" page.)

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