Apeiron 51 (4):371-390 (
2018)
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Abstract
This paper demonstrates the central role of the Socratic elenchus in the
Sophist. In the first part, I defend the position that the Stranger describes the
Socratic elenchus in the sixth division of the Sophist. In the second part, I show
that the Socratic elenchus is actually used when the Stranger scrutinizes the
accounts of being put forward by his predecessors. In the final part, I explain the
function of the Socratic elenchus in the argument of the dialogue. By contrast
with standard scholarly interpretations, this way of reading the text provides all
the puzzles about being (241c4–251a4) with a definite function in the dialogue. It
also reveals that Plato’s methodology includes a plurality of method and is more
continuous than what is often believed.