Philosophers on Stage: From Aristophanes’ Socrates to Timon of Phlius’ Parody to Construct a New Philosophy
Abstract
This article aims to illustrate some intersections between Greek philosophical satire and ancient Greek philosophy by discussing the Pyrrhonian satire of Timon of Phlius against the philosophy of Socrates and his followers. Timonian mockery operates not only through literary strategies such as ὀνομαστὶ κομῳδεῖν, a hallmark of Aristophanic Old Comedy, but also through caricatures of Socrates’ ideas and their reception, captured by the term “Philosophenspott”. Analysing this philosophical mockery opens new avenues for studying how ancient authors, including Timon, used satire both to undermine rival doctrines and also to articulate their own doctrines
Fields of Study & Subjects
Classical Philosophy and Thought
Classical Antiquity Studies
Classical Studies and Philology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Ancient Philosophy
- Publisher
- Universidade de São Paulo. Agência de Bibliotecas e Coleções Digitais
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 86–103
- Publication date
- 31 May 2026