The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter
Title
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-27-1955
Abstract
The question I wish to raise is this. Is it correct to say that one of Plato’s achievements in this passage is the ‘discovery of the copula’, or the ‘recognition of ambiguity of ἔστιν’ as used on the one hand in statements of identity and on the other hand in attributive statements? I feel little doubt that it is correct to say this, but Cornford and Robinson (to mention no others) deny it. After a remark on the question itself I shall try state briefly a case for answering it affirmatively, and shall then consider some of the counter-arguments that have been put forward.
Recommended Citation
Ackrill, John L., "Plato's Sophist 251-259" (1955). The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter. 233.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/sagp/233
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Ancient Philosophy Commons, History of Philosophy Commons
Notes
John Ackrill presented “Sophist 251-259” to the Society at its meeting with the Eastern Division in December 1955. A revised version was published as: “Plato and the Copula: Sophist 251-259,” Journal of Hellenic Studies 77:1-6 (1957).
For a very brief notice of the author, see Wikipedia, "J. L. Ackrill."