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Full Idea
The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.
Gist of Idea
European philosophy consists of a series of footnotes to Plato
Source
Alfred North Whitehead (Process and Reality [1929], p.39)
A Reaction
Outsiders think this is a ridiculous remark, but readers of Plato can only be struck by what a wonderful tribute Whitehead has come up with. I would say that at least 80% of this database deals with problems which were discussed at length by Plato.
| 10656 | With 'extensive connection', boundary elements are not included in domains [Whitehead, by Varzi] |
| 15389 | In Whitehead 'processes' consist of events beginning and ending [Whitehead, by Simons] |
| 15247 | Whitehead held that perception was a necessary feature of all causation [Whitehead, by Harré/Madden] |
| 16962 | Whitehead replaced points with extended regions [Whitehead, by Quine] |
| 7719 | European philosophy consists of a series of footnotes to Plato [Whitehead] |