Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
1993
Disciplines
Philosophy
Advisor
Tim Robinson
Abstract
My thesis is a discussion of Plato's divided line with a special concentration on the fourth level of knowledge. First, the discussion centers on gaining an understanding of the divided line and what Plato says about the method of attaining fourth level knowledge. Second, I show the four levels of the line in two of Plato's dialogues, the Republic and the Phaedrus. The first three levels match the description of them that Plato gives in the divided line, but instead of finding what Plato describes for the fourth level we find a myth. Finally, I discuss how the myth takes the place of a more analytical method of gaining knowledge of the Forms and how it gives the knower some understanding of the fourth level.
Copyright Statement
Available by permission of the author. Reproduction or retransmission of this material in any form is prohibited without expressed written permission of the author.
Recommended Citation
Hageman, Dorothy, "Plato's Divided Line and a Mythical Mode of Knowledge" (1993). Honors Theses, 1963-2015. 344.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/honors_theses/344