PLATO THE SWAN: INTERPRETATION AND THE HUNT FOR PLATO‘S DOCTRINES

Abstract

In this paper I use the traditional image of Plato as swan to suggest that interpretingPlato should not be a matter of getting to know what his doctrines are (a doctrinal approach),but rather a of getting to know Plato himself (a knowledge by acquaintance approach). I arguethat the dialogues encourage the knowledge by acquaintance approach and discourage the doctrinalapproach, through the use of Platonic anonymity, Platonic irony and Platonic self-effacement.I point out how the knowledge by acquaintance approach values the rich diversity of historicalopinions about Plato, whereas the doctrinal approach seeks to resolve such diversity once and forall. Even though the doctrinal approach has powerful tools at its disposal—such as the testimonyof Aristotle, the principle that the main speaker in a dialogue is Plato’s mouthpiece, and stylometricanalysis—the product of a doctrinal approach is a brand of Platonism that is weak, rigid, andultimately dispensable. The philosophy of Plato is worthy of more respect than that, and it repayssuch respect with wider understanding.