Towards redefining Socratic irony
Abstract
The nature and function of Socratic irony has been much disputed incontemporary scholarship, and there is no source which offers asatisfactory account of Socratic irony. In this article I firstly arguethat Socrates’ disavowals of knowledge cannot be taken literally.I then argue that Socrates also has some physical habits, in particularan attitude of superiority and the appropriation of Spartan dress,which can be interpreted as ironic within their historical context, inother words that Socrates’ physical actions also suggest irony.In conclusion I argue that Socratic irony has interlinked political andpedagogic functions, and I offer suggestions for the redefinition ofthe concept of Socratic irony which allows for these insights.
Published
2014-01-16
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