back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 7719

[from 'Process and Reality' by Alfred North Whitehead, in 1. Philosophy / C. History of Philosophy / 2. Ancient Philosophy / c. Classical philosophy ]

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.