Abstract

This paper is an attempt to reconstruct the method of division depicted in the two late, methodological Platonic dialogues, i.e. Sophist and Statesman. The undertaken analysis consists in uncovering assumptions and principles of the method. A comparison of the methods of enquiry reconstructed from both dialogues shows that they differ in various ways. In Sophist we find series of subsequent divisions of terms which lead to a definition of angler and several definitions of sophist. Interrelated with the method of collection last account of division in the dialogue finally enables the Stranger from Elea and his interlocutors to describe sophist as a specific type of imitator. On their way to achieve this definition disputants follow Stranger’s advices to ‘cut through the middle’ and ‘always go right’. This instructions signify what we call a dichotomous and right-sided method of division which describe what a thing being defined is by ongoing addition of its new characteristics. In Statesman, however, we witness a series of significant departures from this clearly stated principles. Although, in the first part of the dialogue politician is defined on the way of the dichotomous divisions it seems to the interlocutors that the definition ‘lacks its clarity’ and therefore misses to express what a statesman really is. We also read that statesmanship, if it is to be defined properly, must be distinguished from other shepherd-like types of human activity in society. The Stranger suggests that they need to change a paradigm which underlies their enquiry. He then introduces a paradigm of weaver which enables disputants to define statesman successfully as a governing ruler who interweaves courageous and well-behaved characters into a durable social fabric. In both definitions of the weaver and statesman we notice terms being divided in more than two parts and on the both sides of a division tree. This leads us to a conclusion that in Statesman we find a non-dichotomous, left- and right-sided division serving to describe what a particular thing is by eliminating what it is not. Key words PLATO, METHOD, DIAIRESIS