Plato's Analytic Method

by Kenneth M. Sayre

255 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1969

Reviews

[Edward Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sayre argues for the fundamental unity of Plato's formal reasoning in the early and late dialogues, demonstrating that the method of "collection and division" from the Sophist is simply a more precise and sophisticated articulation of the "hypothetical" method from the Phaedo. A discussion of the Theaetetus shows how the two methods converge in this dialogue.

Although its brevity is an asset, I would have liked the book to be more expansive in places; in particular, the discussion of the Phaedo feels a bit cramped. A fuller, clearer account of the relationship between the hypothetical method in this dialogue and the method of geometrical analysis would have been especially welcome. The section on the "upward path" in the Republic also felt too spare and condensed, almost unfinished. Sometimes Sayre jumps too easily to the conclusion that Plato hasn't worked something out all the way, or is merely gesturing toward a solution, always a dangerous assumption.

Armed with the tools Sayre provides, however, readers can perhaps think the issues through for themselves and in the rest of the literature on these dialogues.