Morgan Myth and philosophy from the Presocratics to Plato BB.pdf

MYTH AND PHILOSOPHY FROM THE
PRESOCRATICS TO PLATO
This book explores the dynamic ration of myth and
philosophy in the Presocratics, the sophists, and in Plato – an
ration which is found to be more extensive and pro-
grammatic than has previously been recognised. The story of phil-
osophy’s relationship with myth is that of its relationship with liter-
ary and social convention. The intellectuals studied here wanted
to reformulate popular ideas about cultural authority, and they
achieve this goal by manipulating myth. Their self-conscious use
of myth creates a self-reflective philosophical sensibility and draws
attention to problems inherent in different modes of linguistic rep-
resentation. Much of the reception of Greek philosophy stigma-
tises myth as ‘irrational’. Such an approach ignores the important
role played by myth in Greek philosophy, not just as a foil but as
a mode of philosophical thought. The case studies in this book re-
veal myth deployed as result of methodological reflection, and as
a manifestation of philosophical concerns.
 is an Associate Professor of Classics in the
University of California at Los Angeles.
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MYTH AND PHILOSOPHY
FROM THE
PRESOCRATICS TO
PLATO
KATHRYN A. MORGAN
University of California at Los Angeles

The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom

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© Kathryn A. Morgan 2004
First published in printed format 2000
ISBN 0-511-01767-7 eBook (netLibrary)
ISBN 0-521-62180-1 hardback
Contents
Acknowledgementspagevii
Introduction
Theoreticalissues
Textualisationandtheriseofphilosophy
Frommythostologos?
Sometheoretic