In Plato’s Timaeus, two different theories – the Receptacle theory and the geometrical particle theory – are presented to explain change in the natural world. In this paper, I argue that there is tension between the two theories. After examining several possible solutions for this tension, I conclude that Plato does not present it as something ready to be solved within the dialogue but, rather, as something to be understood in a way that maintains both theories. Finally, I also argue (...) that the contrast between the two theories in the Timaeus derives from a similar contrast in the Phaedo. (shrink)

This paper provides a rational reconstruction of a Platonic trope bundle theory that is a live alternative to contemporary bundle theories. According to the theory, Platonic particulars are composed of what Plato calls images of Forms; contemporary metaphysicians call these tropes. Tropes are dependent on Forms and the Receptacle, while trope bundles are structured by natural kinds using the Phaedo's principles of inclusion and exclusion and the Timaeus’ geometrised elements, as well as by co-location in the Receptacle. Key elements of (...) discussion include persistence and abundance of Plato's tropes. The resulting theory is compared with contemporary trope bundle theories. (shrink)

In this article, we provide an analysis of the description of the pre-cosmic chaos and the function of this description within the context of the theory of participation which can be reconstructed in Plato’s Timaeus. More specifically, we will assume that the pre-cosmic chaos represents a counterfactual situation in which the universe is conceived without the action of the intelligible. This counterfactual state will be considered as an initial sequence allowing to visualize in a quasi-spatial way how the phenomenon of (...) participation operates. We will give a detailed analysis of the passage (52d4-53b7) in order to integrate it as a sequence of what we will call the anatomy of participation. In our study, two more questions will be examined: i) the representation of the sensible without the intelligible in Plato’s works (Timaeus, Statesman, Philebus, Parmenides) and ii) the role of world soul as a possible cause of all movements in the universe (Timaeus and Laws). (shrink)

One short passage on what is called the Receptacle in Plato’s Timaeus has been the subject of much controversy since Cherniss presented an alternative reading of it in 1954. In this paper, I criticize an influential argument presented by Zeyl for a traditional reading, and propose a new interpretation which adopts the alternative reading on important sentences of the passage, but is not accompanied by the defects of Cherniss’ interpretation.