Plato and the Mythic Tradition in Political Thought

Tae-Yeoun Keum's book "Platonic Mythmaking" challenges the premise that Platos use of myths is irrelevant or inimical to the ideal of rational progress. She argues that myth is neither irrelevant nor inimical to the ideal of rational progress and that Platos dialogues have inspired pivotal figures in the history of political thought.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2021
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Winner of the prestigious Gustave O. Arlt Award in the Humanities, the Istvan Hont Book Prize is a groundbreaking reinterpretation and defense of Plato's fundamental enterprise and influence. In this compelling book, the author argues that the power of Plato's myths played a central role in the founding of philosophical rationalism. However, the use of myths by Plato, such as the Myth of Metals and the Myth of Er, has often been seen as conflicting with his canonical reputation as the inventor of rational philosophy. Since the Enlightenment, interpreters like Hegel have sought to resolve this tension by treating Plato's myths as mere regrettable embellishments, irrelevant to his main enterprise. On the other hand, critics like Karl Popper have raised concerns about the deceptive power of myth, arguing that a tradition built on Platonic foundations can be neither rational nor desirable.

Tae-Yeoun Keum, in her groundbreaking work, challenges the underlying premise of these positions. She argues that myth is neither irrelevant nor inimical to the ideal of rational progress. Keum meticulously traces the influence of Plato's dialogues throughout the early modern period and into the twentieth century, highlighting how pivotal figures in the history of political thought, including More, Bacon, Leibniz, the German Idealists, Cassirer, and others, have been inspired by Plato's mythmaking. Keum's research reveals that Plato's followers consistently raised the possibility that myth could play a vital role in rational political thinking.

Through her meticulous analysis, Keum demonstrates that Plato's myths are not mere embellishments but rather rich tapestries that shed light on the complexities of human nature, society, and politics. By exploring the themes and symbols present in Plato's myths, Keum offers a fresh perspective on the origins and development of philosophical rationalism. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of philosophy, myth, and political thought, as it provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Plato's legacy.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674984646