Timaeus

A detailed Summary of Timaeus


R.G. Bury. Timaeus: The Loeb Classical Library, Vol. IX. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1989.

Plato's Timaeus was written in an attempt to make sense of the beginnings of time, of the world, as we know it. It is an attempt to describe how the world came into being. It is important to note that even Plato states that this is only a "likely account"(53). Nonetheless, it is an excellent summary of Platonic philosophy and was extremely influential in later years over the ancient and mediaeval world. To the modern reader, such as a college student, it proves to be quite obscure and repulsive, but interesting just the same.

Plato first argues that since the sensible world "is that which is becoming always and never existent"(49) it must have come to be. Therefore, the world must have some for of cause, a cause to be. He refers to the cause as "the maker and father of the univ


erse"(51) as well as the "Mind"(109) and "God"(127) later in the work. It is very common to hear Plato's god referred to as the Demiurge, which literally means craftsman.

Now then, since the Demiurge was depicted as good, he desired "that, so far as possible, all things should be good and nothing evil"(55). This is where Plato begins to describe the qualities of the universe that the Demiurge is creating. The deductions that Plato makes involving the forming of the universe shows his optimism concerning humankind. He views humankind as formed for the greater good of the universe. The world created by the Demiurge is alive, intelligent, eternal, and good, and therefore it is a "blessed god"(65). It just so happens that along with the influence of the Demiurge there was another factor at work. Plato refers to this as "the Errant Cause"(111). It is apparent that this other principle could be likened to

Some common words found in the essay are:
Plato's Timaeus, Mind109 God127, Errant Cause111, Sophist Republic, South Carolina, University Press, plato's timaeus,

Approximate Word count = 616
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

join now Save Paper

Related Essays

  • Atlantis ... Plato spoke of Atlantis in his stories Critias and Timaeus. In Platoamp39s story Timaeus Solon, a lawgiver of Athens, described the island. ... 1204 words
  • Atlantis 2 ... After hearing the story of the great, lost continent, Plato wrote of his talks in Timaeus and Critias, named for the men who passed the knowledge of the island ... 1190 words
  • aRISTOTLE vS. pLATO get an A ... and being devoid of envy He desired that all should be, so far as possible, like unto Himself all things should be good and nothing evil.ampquot Timaeus, 28a With ... 1816 words
  • huck finn ... He died at age 80 in Athens in 348 BC Before his death Plato completed the Sophist, the Politicus, the Philebus, the Timaeus and finally the Laws. ... 1653 words
  • Raphael ... Raphael. Plato is in the center pointing his finger to the heavens while holding the Timaeus, his treatise on the origin of the world. ... 1890 words

Professional Essays

  • The story of Atlantis ... any means. BACKGROUND OF THE ISSUE The story of Atlantis comes down to us through a description offered in Timaeus by Plato. Kukal ... 3285 words
  • Development of African Civilization ... By the early 1980s, 48 percent of the countryamp39s male labor force was no longer engaged in paid employment Timaeus, and Balasubra manian, 1983. ... 2836 words
  • Works of Utopian Fiction ... ideal one. The consequences can be seen in perhaps the earliest utopian work, Platoamp39s dialogues Critias and Timaeus. Plato conterpoised ... 2718 words
  • Religion as a Universal Aspect of Culture ... is at one with his God. The Cosmological argument According to Plato in his dialogue the Timaeus, ... everything that comes to be ... 1459 words


Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.
Home Join Now Support
Acceptable Use Policy About us FAQ
All papers are for research and reference purposes only!
© 2002-2009 DirectEssays.com. All Rights Reserved.