‘Theaetetus’ is one of Plato’s dialogues, written around 369 BCE. In this dialogue, Plato explores the nature of knowledge and perception through a conversation between Socrates and Theaetetus, a young mathematician.
The dialogue begins with Socrates encountering Theaetetus and expressing his curiosity about what Theaetetus is currently studying. Theaetetus reveals that he is engaged in the study of geometry and mathematics, prompting Socrates to ask him what knowledge is. Theaetetus offers several definitions, but each is ultimately challenged by Socrates, leading to a deeper examination of the nature of knowledge.
Throughout the dialogue, Socrates and Theaetetus engage in a dialectical inquiry, considering various theories and definitions of knowledge put forward by prominent thinkers of their time. They discuss concepts such as perception, opinion, true belief, and justification, probing the limits of human understanding and the reliability of sense perception.
One of the central themes of ‘Theaetetus’ is the idea that knowledge is more than just true belief; it also requires justification or rational explanation. Plato suggests that true knowledge involves grasping the essence or form of things, rather than merely perceiving their appearances.
‘Theaetetus’ is celebrated for its rigorous philosophical inquiry and its exploration of epistemology, the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. It remains a key text in the history of Western philosophy and continues to be studied and debated by scholars and students alike.
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