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Plato

Theaetetus

The Theaetetus is one of Plato's dialogues, featuring Socrates as the main interlocutor, and is considered to be one of the most important works in Western philosophy. The dialogue is named after Theaetetus, a mathematician who was a contemporary of Plato, and who is the main participant in the conversation along with Socrates and Theodorus. The Theaetetus is a search for a definition of knowledge, and it is structured as a series of attempts to define knowledge, each of which is then subjected to critical examination. The dialogue begins with Theodorus introducing Socrates to Theaetetus, and Socrates asking Theaetetus to give an account of what he thinks knowledge is. Theaetetus offers several definitions, including that knowledge is perception, that it is true judgment, and that it is true judgment with an account or explanation. Socrates examines each of these definitions in turn, and shows that they are inadequate. The definition of knowledge as perception is criticized on the grounds that there can be false perception, and that perception is always of particulars, whereas knowledge is of universals. The definition of knowledge as true judgment is criticized on the grounds that there can be true judgment without knowledge, as when one guesses correctly. The definition of knowledge as true judgment with an account is criticized on the grounds that it is unclear what an account is, and that it is not clear that knowledge always involves an account. The dialogue ends inconclusively, with Socrates and Theaetetus acknowledging that they have not found a satisfactory definition of knowledge. However, the dialogue is significant for its exploration of the nature of knowledge, and for its development of key concepts in Plato's philosophy, such as the distinction between particulars and universals, and the importance of giving an account or explanation of one's beliefs. Overall, the Theaetetus is a rich and challenging work that continues to be studied and debated by philosophers today. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the nature of knowledge, the history of philosophy, or the ideas of one of the greatest philosophers of all time...