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Zusatztext ... a well-argued, intellectually challenging, and edifying work that is accessible to a wide range of readers. The fresh light that it shines upon the professional location of physicians within Laws' Magnesia is a particularly valuable contribution, made all the more so by Levin's arguments about how Plato eventually arrived at that point. Of no less importance, though, is Levin's demonstration of how the works of Plato -- and ancient thought more broadly -- can provide useful insights for exploring contemporary philosophical issues in productive ways. It is my opinion that Levin has achieved this here, and I look forward to seeing further discussion that the book promotes. Informationen zum Autor Susan B. Levin is Professor of Philosophy at Smith College. She has previously published The Ancient Quarrel between Philosophy and Poetry Revisited: Plato and the Greek Literary Tradition (OUP, 2001) and numerous articles. Klappentext While scholars typically view Plato's engagement with medicine as uniform and largely positive, Susan B. Levin argues that from the Gorgias through the Laws, his handling of medicine unfolds in several key phases. Further, she shows that Plato views medicine as an important rival for authority on phusis (nature) and eudaimonia (flourishing). Levin's arguments rest on careful attention both to Plato and to the Hippocratic Corpus. Levin shows that an evident but unexpressed tension involving medicine's status emerges in the Gorgias and is explored in Plato's critiques of medicine in the Symposium and Republic. In the Laws, however, this rivalry and tension dissolve. Levin addresses the question of why Plato's rivalry with medicine is put to rest while those with rhetoric and poetry continue. On her account, developments in his views of human nature, with their resulting impact on his political thought, drive Plato's striking adjustments involving medicine in the Laws. Levin's investigation of Plato is timely: for the first time in the history of bioethics, the value of ancient philosophy is receiving notable attention. Most discussions focus on Aristotle's concept of phronêsis (practical wisdom); here, Levin argues that Plato has much to offer bioethics as it works to address pressing concerns about the doctor-patient tie, medical professionalism, and medicine's relationship to society. Zusammenfassung Susan B. Levin argues that Plato's engagement with medicine is richer than previously recognized and that he views it as an important rival for authority on nature and flourishing. Levin shows further that Plato's work, particularly the Laws, holds significant promise for bioethics that has so far been nearly untapped. Inhaltsverzeichnis Terms Introduction Chapter 1: The Gorgias' Innovative Lens on Human Existence 1. Introduction 2. Technai v. Empeiriai: The Gorgias' Account of What Is and Is Not Worth Doing 3. The Gorgias' Soul-Body Division 4. Goods Set Apart from the Good 5. Hedonism and Antithetical Ways of Life 6. Order as the Key to Virtue and the Good 7. The Gorgias on Punishment 8. Gorgias 517d-518a and the Dialogue's Final Hierarchy of Human Endeavors 9. The Gorgias' Preeminent Technê of Politics Chapter 2: Medicine in the Gorgias: A Collision Course with Philosophy Is Set 1. Introduction 2. Medicine's Role as Aid and Support to the Gorgias' Castigation of Rhetoric 3. Taking Stock of the Gorgias' Parallels and Debts to Medical Writings 4. The Roots of What Will Become Plato's Head-On Rivalry with Medicine 4.1 Medicine on the Highest Good and the Big Three Epithumiai 4.2 Pain 4.3 Soul 4.4 Microcosmic Hubris 5. Looking Ahead Chapter 3: Eryximachus' Tale: The Symposium's Challenge to Medicine's Preeminence 1. Introduction 2. Eryximachus as Emcee? 3. Macrocosmic Occupations: The Logos of Eryximachus and It...
