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Platonism and Naturalism: The Possibility of Philosophy

Online ISBN:
9781501747267
Print ISBN:
9781501747250
Publisher:
Cornell University Press
Book

Platonism and Naturalism: The Possibility of Philosophy

Lloyd P. Gerson
Lloyd P. Gerson
University of Toronto
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Published online:
17 September 2020
Published in print:
15 March 2020
Online ISBN:
9781501747267
Print ISBN:
9781501747250
Publisher:
Cornell University Press

Abstract

In his third and concluding volume, the author presents an innovative account of Platonism, the central tradition in the history of philosophy, in conjunction with Naturalism, the “anti-Platonism” in antiquity and contemporary philosophy. The book contends that Platonism identifies philosophy with a distinct subject matter, namely, the intelligible world and seeks to show that the Naturalist rejection of Platonism entails the elimination of a distinct subject matter for philosophy. Thus, the possibility of philosophy depends on the truth of Platonism. From Aristotle to Plotinus to Proclus, the book clearly links the construction of the Platonic system well beyond simply Plato's dialogues, providing strong evidence of the vast impact of Platonism on philosophy throughout history. The book concludes that attempts to seek a rapprochement between Platonism and Naturalism are unstable and likely indefensible.

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