Two Challenges to the Dualist Interpretation of Plato’s Thought: The Nonexistence of the “Two-Worlds” Theory in Plato’s Dialogues and Their Dialogical Nature

Abstract

This article intends to demonstrate two limits to the usual dualist interpretation of Plato’s thought, by (1) defending the nonexistence of the so-called “two-worlds theory” (cosmological dualism) in his dialogues and by (2) pointing out that the nature and form of his dialogues, characterized by a certain dramaticity, contrast with and challenge proposals for the systematic dogmatization of his thought. Since the alleged Platonic dualisms, such as the anthropological (between body and soul) and the ontological-epistemological (between the sensible and the intelligible), are rooted in cosmological dualism (between the sensible world and the world of Forms/Ideas) in systematic interpretations of the Athenian philosopher, (1) and (2) support the conclusion that the dualist interpretation of Plato is unfounded.

KEYWORDS: Platonic cosmology. χώρα (chōra). Dialogical genre. Dramaticity.