The Place of Plato’s Cratylus in the Curriculum of Neoplatonic Philosophy

Abstract

“Cratylus” is one of Plato’s twelve dialogues which Iamblichus had selected for the study of Platonic philosophy (Iamblichus’ canon). The author analyzes principles of curriculum on Plato’s dialogues, as set forth in “Anonymous Prolegomena to Platonic Philosophy”, among them: a) the unity of the topic, or purpose (σκοπός), b) the choice of dialogues, c) the order of reading, etc. Next, leaning on reconstruction by Leendert Westerink of “Prolegomena”, the author of the article shows why “Cratylus” was placed after “Phaedo”, but before “Theaetetus”. And then the purpose (σκοπός) of “Cratylus” is becoming clear owing to analysis of Proclus’ Commentary on the “Cratylus”.