The Teleology of Action in Plato's Republic

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ancient
Cover of the book The Teleology of Action in Plato's Republic by Andrew Payne, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Payne ISBN: 9780192536693
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: October 13, 2017
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Andrew Payne
ISBN: 9780192536693
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: October 13, 2017
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

In many discussions of ancient philosophy, teleology is acknowledged as an important theme. How do we act for a particular end or purpose? One common answer describes humans as acting with the intention of achieving a goal. A person selects particular actions with the thought that these actions will lead to that goal. Andrew Payne accepts that this is one good answer to our question but proposes that it is not the only one. In Plato's Republic, Socrates appeals to a different understanding of how humans act for the sake of ends as they live together in political communities and pursue knowledge. As they carry out activities that are necessary for human flourishing, their actions can produce unintended results that signal the full completion of human capacities. For example, performing the actions of a just individual can help promote the establishment of a just society as an unintended result. Such unintended results qualify as ends or purposes of human action. This volume fully explores this functional teleology of action in Plato's Republic.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In many discussions of ancient philosophy, teleology is acknowledged as an important theme. How do we act for a particular end or purpose? One common answer describes humans as acting with the intention of achieving a goal. A person selects particular actions with the thought that these actions will lead to that goal. Andrew Payne accepts that this is one good answer to our question but proposes that it is not the only one. In Plato's Republic, Socrates appeals to a different understanding of how humans act for the sake of ends as they live together in political communities and pursue knowledge. As they carry out activities that are necessary for human flourishing, their actions can produce unintended results that signal the full completion of human capacities. For example, performing the actions of a just individual can help promote the establishment of a just society as an unintended result. Such unintended results qualify as ends or purposes of human action. This volume fully explores this functional teleology of action in Plato's Republic.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Challenging Concepts in Emergency Medicine by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Wilmot-Smith on Construction Contracts by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Stuart Succession Literature by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Contemporary Archaeology and the City by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Young Criminal Lives: Life Courses and Life Chances from 1850 by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book The International Court of Justice by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Sextants at Greenwich by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Representation in Cognitive Science by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Oxford Case Histories in Anaesthesia by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Preparing to Pass the FRCA by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book Infinity: A Very Short Introduction by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book David Hume by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book The Dual State by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Medieval Literature in English by Andrew Payne
Cover of the book The Demonic in the Political Thought of Eusebius of Caesarea by Andrew Payne
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy