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This volume provides a systematic analysis of the role of mathematical examples in Plato's dialogues. Through a combined approach involving the history of mathematics, textual analysis, and philosophical inquiry, it demonstrates that these examples fulfil a crucial psychagogical function. Integrando storia della matematica, analisi testuale e indagine filosofica, questo studio fornisce un'analisi sistematica del ruolo degli esempi matematici in Platone e ne mostra la cruciale funzione psicagogica.

Mathematics --- Mathematics, Greek. --- Philosophy, Ancient. --- Philosophy. --- Plato.

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From Plato's Timaeus onwards, the world or cosmos has been conceived of as a living, rational organism. Most notably in German Idealism, philosophers still talked of a 'Weltseele' (Schelling) or 'Weltgeist' (Hegel). This volume is the first collection of essays on the origin of the notion of the world soul (anima mundi) in Antiquity and beyond. It contains 14 original contributions by specialists in the field of ancient philosophy, the Platonic tradition and the history of theology. The topics range from the 'obscure' Presocratic Heraclitus, to Plato and his ancient readers in Middle and Neoplatonism (including the Stoics), to the reception of the idea of a world soul in the history of natural science. A general introduction highlights the fundamental steps in the development of the Platonic notion throughout late Antiquity and early Christian philosophy. Accessible to Classicists, historians of philosophy, theologians and invaluable to specialists in ancient philosophy, the book provides an overview of the fascinating discussions surrounding a conception that had a long-lasting effect on the history of Western thought.

Soul --- Philosophy. --- History of doctrines. --- History