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  • 10 - Plato's philosophical method in the Republic: the Divided Line (510b–511d)

  • Edited by Mark L. McPherran, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia
  • Book:
    Plato's 'Republic'
    Published online:
    04 February 2011
    Print publication:
    25 November 2010, pp 188-208

  • Summary

    This chapter discusses Plato's image of the Divided Line which focuses on the nature of the ontological divisions associated with the four sections of the Line, especially the third. The initial division of the Line into two parts suggests an ontological focus. The top two sections of the line are distinguished in terms of a method or procedure of the soul. Divided Line passage suggests that the dianoetic and dialectical methods employs the general method as the Meno and traditionally called the method of hypothesis. The difference between dianoetic and dialectic lies in how each treats its hypotheses. The dianoetic method is in some way inferior to dialectic. The chapter examines the consequences of the hypothesis that follow directly from the nature of the Forms involved and not from contingent or artificial features of the hypothesis.