Single Idea 5842

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 1. Nature of Analysis]

Full Idea

Self-discipline and avoidance of pleasure makes people most capable of philosophical discussion, which is called 'discussion' (dialegesthai - sort out) because people divide their subject-matter into categories.

Gist of Idea

Philosophical discussion involves dividing subject-matter into categories

Source

report of Socrates (reports of career [c.420 BCE]) by Xenophon - Memorabilia of Socrates 4.5.12

Book Reference

Xenophon: 'Conversations of Socrates', ed/tr. Waterfield,R/Tredennick,H. [Penguin 1990], p.205


A Reaction

This could be the original slogan for analytical philosophy, as far as I am concerned. I don't think philosophy aims at complete and successful analysis (cf. Idea 2958), but at revealing the structure and interconnection of ideas. This is wisdom.

Related Idea

Idea 2958 No one has ever succeeded in producing an acceptable non-trivial analysis of anything [Lockwood]