The Philosophic Importance of Political Life: On the “Digression†in Plato's Theaetetus

The reassessment of Plato's stance toward democracy has made his understanding of the relationship between philosophy and politics a salient issue. To gain clarity on this issue, I examine the central passage of Plato's Theaetetus, which treats the conflict between the philosopher and the orator–politician. Located in a dialogue devoted to the meaning of knowledge and often dismissed as a digression, the passage has received relatively scant attention regarding this issue. A careful consideration of the passage and its context, however, shows that the question of the meaning of knowledge requires a consideration of the more comprehensive question of good and that this question is properly investigated through an examination of political life. Socrates thus focuses on politics not to guide political life but rather to vindicate the philosophic life. An appreciation of this motive should inform reflection concerning Plato's view of the relationship between philosophy and politics.