The Tragedy of Reason: Toward a Platonic Conception of Logos

The classical concept of reason (or logos) has been criticized in the modern era, with Descartes and Derrida accusing it of being insufficiently useful or precise. Plato has been particularly criticized for overvaluing reason and devaluing the other, more human aspects of life. The Tragedy of Reason, published in 1990, defends Plato against his accusers by presenting his conception of logos in confrontation with texts by Homer, Hesiod, Heraclitus, Aristotle, Descartes, Porty, and Derrida. Roochnik shows that Plato's conception of logos is aware of the strength of its opponents and presents him as a tragic philosopher whose conception of logos is characterized by an affirmation of its limits as well as its goodness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 12 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The classical notion of reason, often referred to as "logos," has faced significant criticism in the modern era. This notion has been criticized by a wide range of individuals, including Descartes, who argued that "logos" is not sufficiently useful or precise, and Derrida, who sought to liberate Western thought from its reliance on logocentrism.

At least since the time of Nietzsche, Plato has been widely condemned as the primary architect of the classical conception of "logos." He has been accused of overvaluing reason and thus devaluing the other, more human aspects of life. In Nietzsche's influential work "The Birth of Tragedy," Plato is portrayed as the arch-enemy of tragedy, which, for Nietzsche, was the most life-affirming art form within Greek culture.

"The Tragedy of Reason," originally published in 1990, aims to defend Plato against his accusers. Author Roochnik employs a mode of exposition that showcases Plato's position, presenting the Platonic conception of "logos" in contrast to texts by Homer, Hesiod, Heraclitus, Aristotle, Descartes, Porty, and Derrida. Through clear and concise language, devoid of technical terminology, Roochnik demonstrates that Plato's conception of "logos" is acutely aware of the strength of its opponents. The result is a portrayal of Plato as a tragic philosopher whose understanding of "logos" is characterized by an affirmation of its limits, as well as its inherent goodness.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367713003