The Secret Doctrine and the Gigantomachia: Interpreting Plato’s Theaetetus-Sophist

Brad Berman

doi:10.14195/2183-4105_14_4

Abstract

The Theaetetus’ ‘secret doctrine’ and the Sophist’s ‘battle between gods and giants’ have long fascinated Plato scholars. I show that the passages systematically parallel one another. Each presents two substantive positions that are advanced on behalf of two separate parties, related to one another by their comparative sophistication or refinement. Further, those parties and their respective positions are characterized in substantially similar terms. On the basis of these sustained parallels, I argue that the two passages should be read together, with each informing and constraining an interpretation of the other.

Highlights

The Theaetetus’ ‘secret doctrine’ and the Sophist’s ‘battle between gods and giants’ have long fascinated Plato scholars
I submit, Plato’s efforts to wed these sections of the Theaetetus and Sophist suggest that an interpretation of the relevant part of either dialogue both can inform and should complement an interpretation of the other
We will have a trove of fresh resources, from Plato himself no less, to guide our interpretations of two of the most notoriously challenging passages in the corpus

Summary

Introduction

The Theaetetus’ ‘secret doctrine’ and the Sophist’s ‘battle between gods and giants’ have long fascinated Plato scholars. The noteworthy mark of a body was that it afforded tangible contact (246a10).[11] Bodies, that is, were first presented as having a particular kind of capacity for action or passion.

Results

Conclusion