Olympiodorus’ View of Civic Self-Knowledge

Albert Joosse

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter examines Olympiodorus’ conception of civic self-knowledge (gnônai heauton politikôs). It explores the ‘affective’, ‘particularist’ and ‘personal’ aspects involved in this mode of knowing oneself: on this level, self-knowledge concerns one’s dealings with feelings and emotions, with particular situations, but also with others in personal interaction. The concept is hard to pin down, however, which this chapter argues is evidence that it is inherently ‘transitory’. This last aspect suits the intermediary role of civic self-knowledge in ethical development, and makes it a suitable target for the Alcibiades I, the first dialogue of the Platonic curriculum in Neoplatonism.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOlympiodorus of Alexandria
Subtitle of host publicationExegete, Teacher, Platonic Philosopher
EditorsAlbert Joosse
Place of PublicationLeiden
PublisherBrill
Chapter7
Pages116-140
Number of pages25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Publication series

NamePhilosophia Antiqua
Volume159

Keywords

  • Self-knowledge
  • personal identity
  • civic virtue
  • embodiment
  • soul-body interaction
  • ethical development
  • Alcibiades I

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