Being and Logos: The Way of Platonic Dialogue

by John Sallis

"Being & Logos" is...a philosophical adventure of rare inspiration...Its power to illuminate the text..., its ecumenicity of inspiration, its methodological rigor, its originality, & its philosophical profundity--all together make it one of the few philosophical interpretations that the philosopher will want to reread along with the dialogues themselves. A superadded gift is the author's prose, which is a model of lucidity & grace."--Internat'l Philosophical Quarterly
"Being & Logos is highly recommended for those who wish to learn how a thoughtful scholar approaches Platonic dialogues as well as for those who wish to consider a serious discussion of some basic themes in the dialogues."--The Academic Reviewer

Genres: Philosophy

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

John Sallis was an American philosopher well known for his work in the tradition of phenomenology. From 2005 until his death, he was the Frederick J. Adelmann Professor of Philosophy at Boston College. He previously taught at Pennsylvania State University (1996–2005), Vanderbilt University (1990–1995), Loyola University of Chicago (1983–1990), Duquesne University (1966–1983) and the University of the South (1964–1966).

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Sallis, brother of the sf/mystery writer, came to Loyola University while I was there, his coming being very important to many in the philosophy department. I never took a course with him, never was even introduced to him except in terms of this book, a waterlogged copy of which I find in the bedroom along with extensive notes. As my last class at LU was in '94 and this book came out two years later, I must have read it for review in the journal, Ancient World--a review I've no recollection of for what amounts to a book I don't recall having read, despite its presence here, despite the notes. Presumably I wasn't impressed, didn't complete a review...
Incidentally, next I find Sallis' Chorology on the shelf. Here it is clear that the book came from the journal for review because the publisher's sheet is still in it. Here, too, there are notes in my hand, but not so extensive, not going much beyond the first sections. Apparently, I didn't like Sallis very much or perhaps the work was just too technical to entertain my interest...

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

We were assigned a mega-chapter on Plato's Phaedus. I'll admit I've never read Plato before.... and I imagine just jumping into Phaedus without any background wouldn't be the easiest thing, so I read this assignment first (in addition to a detailed synopsis of the dialogue). This 70+ page chapter really intrigued me, and I am happy to have a good handle on understanding the dialogue before reading Phaedus. I'm looking forward to reading it now. Very interesting notions on ideas of love, soul and humanity!! Sallis really breaks it down in a fairly comprehensible manner.