Philebus is the one and only Platonic dialogue that comprehensively and conclusively deals with the question of pleasure and good in relation to human life. Only when the human life becomes ultimately attuned to the universal good, one can realize the human good. The question raised is: In what relation pleasure and knowledge stand to the good?
This study is a gentle reminder to our current age that oscillates between what can be described as the “Protagorian” attitude, re-informed by the subjectivism of modernity that considers human being as the measure of everything requiring absolutely no trans-human and trans worldly reference for the good human life and the various versions of what can be called the existential-hedonist-utlilitarian attitude that understands a good human life purely in terms of that which works and provides for happiness here and now. This study also reminds the readers the inherent dangers and consequences in losing the larger and deeper perspectives in understanding the good human life. What makes Dr. Kannanaikkal’s effort outstanding is his ability to capture the flow of thought clearly and in its logical sequence from a text as complex and difficult as the Philebus. It is not very often that one comes across a work of such analytical depth and hermeneutic truthfulness, but presented in such an easily accessible style. It is indeed one of the best studies available on the Philebus, and probably the best effort of an Indian author on Plato, the philosopher!
- Dr. Thomas Kalary MSFS
Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword
General Introduction
Chapter 1: Plato: A Journey into his Life
Introduction
1.1. The Biography of Plato
1.2. Factors Influencing Plato’s Philosophy
1.3. The Academy in Athens
1.4. Writings of Plato: Dialogues
Conclusion
Chapter 2: A Review of Pleasure vs. Knowledge Leading to the Good in Plato’s Dialogues
Introduction
2.1. The Protagoras on Pleasure
2.2. The Gorgias
2.3. The Phaedo
2.4. The Republic
2.5. The Laws
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Arriving at a Good Human Life: Knowledge vs. Pleasure in the Philebus
Introduction
3.1. Discussion of the Candidates for the Good Life
3.2. Socrates’ First Response: Divine Method of Dialectical Division (of One and Many)
3.3. Socrates’ Second Response: A Compromise Solution
3.4. Socrates’ Third Response: Fourfold Ontological Classification
3.5. Application of the Fourfold Ontology
3.6. Classification of False Pleasures
3.7. Purpose of the Classification of False Pleasures
3.8. Indispensable Ingredients of the Good Human Life
3.9. Difference between False and True or Pure Pleasures
3.10. Admission of Different Kinds of Knowledges in the Human Good
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Realization of Good Human Life: A Critical Appreciation
Introduction
4.1. Metaphysical Approach of the Philebus and its Apparent Difficulties
4.2. Plato’s Socrates’ Dreamlike Insight of the Divine: A Systematic Strategy
4.3. Candidates for the Good Human Life
4.4. Constitution of the Human Good
4.5. Questions on the Title Character of the Dialogue: A Real Difficulty
4.6. Decisive Role of Protarchus
4.7. Philosophical Clarity of the Philebus
4.8. Importance of the Dialogue Philebus in the Philosophy of Plato
4.9. Scepticism: An Inevitable Consequence of Plato’s Dialogues
Conclusion
General Conclusion
Bibliography
Dr. Jose Kannanaikkal MSFS belongs to the South-West India Province of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS). He holds an M.A. in English Literature from the Karnatak University, Dharwad; M.Sc in Psychology from the Madras University, Chennai; and M.Ph from Jnana Deepa, Pontifical Athanaeum, Pune. He has a Doctorate in Philosophy from the Munich Academy of Philosophy, Munich, Germany. He has been teaching philosophy at Suvidya College since 2003. He is currently the Dean of Studies at Suvidya College, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
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