Did Socrates Write? The Evidence of Dion of Prusa (Or. 54.4, 55.12-13) and Epictetus (Diss. 2.1.32)
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Graeco-Latina Brunensia |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | Digital Library of the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University |
| Field | Philosophy and religion |
| Keywords | historical Socrates; Dion of Prusa; Epictetus; doxography |
| Description | Ancient doxography and modern scholars generally agree that Socrates did not engage in any literary activity throughout his lifetime. However, remarks by Dion of Prusa (Or. 54.4, 55.12–13) and Epictetus (Diss. 2.1.32), two authors writing roughly during the same period and holding Socrates in high esteem, could suggest that Socrates did write. Since the testimonies of Dion and Epictetus are often overlooked by Socratic scholarship, presumably because they represent minority opinion, the purpose of this paper is to analyze these comments and evaluate their relevance for our interpretation of historical Socrates and his activities as an author. |
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