Parmenides as Conceptual Analyst
Parmenides as Conceptual Analyst
Date
2011
Authors
Woolcock, Peter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Flinders University Department of Languages - Modern Greek
Abstract
It is argued that the properties that Parmenides attributes to Being and Unbeing are
best interpreted as a conceptual analysis of what it is for something to be thinkable.
Whatever possesses contradictory properties is not thinkable and anything that does
not possess contradictory properties is thinkable. What is thinkable is eternal and
unchanging but is not to be identified with what is actually experienced. The view that
Parmenides is offering an ontological thesis is rejected as it seems to require acceptance
of the Principle of Sufficient Reason. Connections are drawn between the conceptual
interpretation of Parmenides and some of the ideas of David Lewis.
Description
Keywords
Greek Research,
Greece,
Australia,
Peter Woolcock
Citation
Woolcock, Peter G. 2009. Parmenides as Conceptual Analyst. In M. Rossetto, M. Tsianikas, G. Couvalis and M. Palaktsoglou (Eds.) "Greek Research in Australia: Proceedings of the Eighth Biennial International Conference of Greek Studies, Flinders University June 2009". Flinders University Department of Languages - Modern Greek: Adelaide, 64-70.