Historical-philosophical debates on Plato’s “unwritten doctrines”: Current positions

Abstract

Ever since a new way of reading Plato based on “unwritten doctrines” was articulated, it became a matter of dispute. However, the testimonies of its existence are undeniable. This expression was used by Aristotle in his Physics and its description can be found both in Aristotle and other in the classical thinkers. There are three key points crucial for Plato’s “unwritten doctrines” i. e. his oral lectures held at the Academy. These are: the doctrine about the Principles i. e. the One and the Indeterminate Dyad (hen and aoristos duas), the thesis about the geometrical construction of the world and the doctrine about ideal numbers. These numbers are referred to in both “direct” and “indirect” tradition. The controversy regarding arose in German academic circles where intensive study of Plato has a long and highly developed tradition. In the Anglo-Saxon world this discussion appears not to have been well received and has sometimes even provoked a rejection (especially in the circle of H. Chernis and his followers). However, this certainly does not lead to the conclusion that studies drawing on Plato’s “unwritten doctrines” have not appeared in the English-speaking world, which sought new ways of understanding the meaning of his philosophy. In this paper, first, I will assess the different readings, as well as their arguments regarding the importance of “unwritten doctrines” for accounting for Plato’s philosophy. Then, I will argue for my stance in this debate.