Questioning Platonism : continental interpretations of Plato

213 Pages·2004·0.815 MB·English

by  Plato., Plato., Hyland, Drew A

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A
QUESTIONING
PLATONISM
SUNY series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy
Dennis J. Schmidt, editor
Q U E S T I O N I N G
P L A T O N I S M
Continental Interpretations
of Plato
DREW A. HYLAND
S U N Y P
TATE NIVERSITY OF EW ORK RESS
Published by
State University of New York Press
Albany
© 2004 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner
whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission
in writing of the publisher.
For information, address
State University of New York Press
90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207
Production by Diane Ganeles
Marketing by Fran Keneston
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hyland, Drew A.
Questioning Platonism : continental interpretations of Plato / Drew A.
Hyland.
p. cm. — (SUNY series in contemporary continental philosophy)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7914-6195-5
1. Plato. 2. Philosophy, Modern—Europe—20th century. I. Title.
II. Series.
B395.H95 2004
184—dc22 2003064720
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For my grandchildren:
Jake, Aidan, Alexandra, Phoebe, and Drew

Contents
Preface ix
Introduction 1
Chapter One 17
Heidegger’s Plato
Chapter Two 85
Derrida’s Plato
Chapter Three 123
Irigaray’s Plato
Chapter Four 155
Cavarero’s Plato
Chapter Five 165
Gadamer’s Plato
Notes 185
Bibliography 197
Index 201
vii

Preface
This book brings together two philosophic interests that have long
sustained me: the Platonic dialogues, and so-called continental phi-
losophy. Several of the chapters began as papers that I have delivered
here and there over the last several years, and I want to acknowledge
and thank my many listeners at those occasions for their astute and
helpful comments. Since virtually every one of those papers was pre-
sented first at Trinity College, I want explicitly to thank my colleagues
at Trinity who have always given me their best attention and advice.
They are challenging friends indeed. Those friends surely include my
students who have participated in courses on one aspect or another of
this book. Their challenging questions and comments have aided me
immeasurably. Second, several of the early versions of these chapters
were presented at meetings of the International Philosophical Seminar
at Castelrotto, Italy, in a wonderful setting that always encourages the
utmost thoughtfulness. I want to thank all the participants in those
meetings for their warm reception and helpful comments, but to single
out the founders and co-directors of IPS, Hugh Silverman and Wilhelm
Wurtzer, who may have discovered the Platonic Form of Philosophical
Conferences. The two anonymous referees who read my manuscript
made astute and thought-provoking comments, for which I thank them
both. Finally, as always, I acknowledge and thank my wife, Anne, for
her support, her love, and her art, which always enriches our lives.
ix