Anhypodêtos – Anhypothetos
Abstract
In Plato’s Phaedrus and Symposium Socrates is explicitly characterized as an ἀνὴρ ἀνυπόδητος. This reminds the connoisseur of the ἀρχὴ ἀνυπόθετος in Plato’s Republic, even more so as all three Dialogues are chronologically adjacent. It is probable, that one can interpret this as a deliberately chosen word game by Plato, giving a hint at Socrates’ status of knowledge, as Plato sees it. Besides, the immediate contact to the ground, which follows from Socrates being an ἀνὴρ ἀνυπόδητος, suggests a way of approaching the highest knowledge of the Philosopher Kings.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Classical Antiquity Studies
Classical Studies and Philology
Classical Philosophy and Thought
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Hermes
- Volume
- 154
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 124–126
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- DE