Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Religion & Culture / Religious Studies

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Jose Huertas-Jourda

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

Plato has been called the “father of rational theology.” This thesis is an attempt to examine in the light of contemporary Platonic scholarship five of Plato’s essentially religious doctrines insofar as they support the idea that Plato’s theory of good and evil is rational. Chapters 1 and 2 examine the plausibility of Plato’s theory of knowledge. Chapter 3 states briefly his theory of Forms, while Chapter 4 attempts to give this doctrine credence by analysing those aspects of it which seem least convincing. Chapters 5 and 6 consider Plato’s theory of soul and conclude that, although some of his beliefs in this area lack credibility, his interpretation of the nature and function of soul is basically plausible. Chapters 7 and 8 examine the rationality of Plato’s Idea of the Good. Chapter 9 sketches his notion of balance and proportion and, in conclusion, Chapter 10 attempts to show how this theory provides an underlying credibility not only to all the theories discussed but also to Plato’s theory of good and evil in its entirety.

Convocation Year

1979

Download

Included in

Philosophy Commons

Share

COinS