The Erlangen Papyrus 4 and Its Socratic Origins

Bibliographic Data

ID23201912
AuthorsMenahem Luz (0000-0003-1500-8497, University of Haifa, corresponding author)
Year2014
Volume8
Issue2
Pages161-191
Publication date2014-08-20
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe International Journal of the Platonic Tradition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1872-5082 • E-ISSN: 1872-5473
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1163/18725473-12341286
OpenAlexW1986010964
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited15

P. Erlangen 4 is papyrus fragment of an ancient Greek, “Socratic” dialogue discussing cures for the (desire) of the beautiful—and, by implication, the meaning of moral beauty itself. Previous discussions have made general comparisons with the works of Plato, Xenophon and Aeschines. Prior to its philosophical analysis, I will re-examine the fragment, suggesting new reconstructions of the text, accompanied by an English translation. Although the precise authorship still remains a mystery, I will attempt to show that its philosophical language, argument and dramatic background are closer to the remains of Antisthenes than other Socratic writers and in particular to one of his Alcibiades compositions. The possibility will then be considered that it originated in one of his works or with one of his immediate followers.

Argument (complex analysis) · Art · Beauty · Epistemology · Fragment (logic) · Literature · Meaning (existential) · Papyrus · SOCRATES · Socratic method · Classical Philosophy and Thought · Computer Science · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · Medicine · Medieval and Classical Philosophy · Philosophy

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