Defense Date

4-9-2014

Graduation Date

Spring 1-1-2014

Availability

Worldwide Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Philosophy

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Ronald Polansky

Committee Member

Patrick Miller

Committee Member

John McGinley

Keywords

Education, Forms, Ideas, Instant, Participation, Sudden

Abstract

There are thirty-six appearances of the Greek word ἐξαίφνης in Plato's dialogues. Usually translated as "all of a sudden" or "suddenly, " ἐξαίφνης emerges in several significant passages. For example, ἐξαίφνης appears three times in the "allegory of the cave" from Republic vii, and heralds the vision of the Beautiful in Symposium. Commonly translated in the Parmenides as "the instant, " ἐξαίφνης also surfaces in a crucial section of the dialogue's training exercise. This dissertation demonstrates the connection obtaining between the thirty-six scattered appearances of ἐξαίφνης in order to reveal the role it plays in linking Plato's theory of ideas with education. In short, it discloses how Plato's step-by-step, methodical approach to philosophical education climaxes with a dynamic conversion experience signified by the appearance of ἐξαίφνης.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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