Abstract

In this paper, I provide an analysis of Plato’s epistemology by drawing attention to the epistemic and normative connotations of the Greek verb διισχυρίζεσθαι, which is translated as “persist in” or “confidently assert”. I argue that the mean￾ing of διισχυρίζεσθαι connotes epistemic and psychological certainty, and au￾thors use it to describe the steadfast doxastic attitude of an epistemic agent. Therefore, an examination of this verb will offer revealing information about Plato’s take on epistemic and conversational virtues from the perspective of the concepts of certainty, infallibility, and epistemic risk. This paper also offers new interpretations of some crucial but ambiguous passages of the Platonic dialogues.