Academic Therapy

Philo of Larissa and Cicero’s Project in the Tusculans

Bibliographic Data

ID23155667
AuthorsMalcolm Schofield (0000-0001-9676-0896, corresponding author)
Year2002
Pages91-110
Publication date2002-08-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeCHAPTER
VenuePhilosophy and power in the Graeco-Roman world (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198299905.003.0006
OpenAlexW2497905409
ISBN9780198299905
LanguageEN
Citations received32

This chapter begins with a translation and re-examination of the Stobaeus text. It considers whether there is anything distinctively Academic in Philo's presentation of the analogy as mediated by Stobaeus. It argues that, if there is, what it consists of is not a Sceptical stance of any kind, but a return to a Socratic outlook on the scope and function of philosophy itself. The chapter looks afresh at the catalogue of De Divinatione 2 and proposes that Cicero's account there of his writings on philosophy betrays a view of its function that bears a significant resemblance to Philo's ‘Socratism’. For their part the Tusculans, who seem to figure as the chef d'oeuvre of the entire catalogue, present themselves in a similarly Socratic light. Some reflections on their specifically Ciceronian features, and particularly on what one might call their Academicism are presented.

Analogy · Art · Cicero · Epistemology · Function (biology) · Literature · Presentation (obstetrics) · Skepticism · Socratic method · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classical Philosophy and Thought · Classics · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · Medicine · Philosophy

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