Animal and Paradigm in Plato

Abstract

The paradigm according to which the cosmos is ordered by the demiurge is characterized in the Timaeus as 'Animal Itself', while παράδειγµα in the vision of Er from the Republic denotes the patterns of lives chosen by individual humans and other animals. The essay seeks to grasp the animality of the paradigm, as well as the paradigmatic nature of animality, by means of the homology discernible between these usages. This inquiry affirms the value within a Platonic doctrine of principles of persons over reified forms, of modes of unity over substantial natures, and of agency over structure. This essay concerns animals, including humans qua animals, insofar as they may be considered the fundamental units of the Platonic cosmos. The animal as considered in this fashion, however, is prior to taxonomy, and as such expresses a metaphysical 'humanity' prior to the taxonomically human; so this essay also concerns the animal qua human. The critical concept Plato provides us for grasping his thought in this way is that of the παράδειγµα, 'paradigm' or 'pattern', as it is used on the one hand in the vision of Er that concludes the Republic, and on the other, in the account of the demiurgic organization of the cosmos in the Timaeus. We shall see that the term παράδειγµα is to

Bhakti and Henadology

“…In this way, action done for its own sake also conserves the integrity, the unity, of the agent. 24 See the discussion of the philosophical significance of Plato's recourse to reincarnation in Butler (2014). By contrast, choice plays only a very small part in Indian accounts of reincarnation; this, however, I would argue, has to do with the much narrower role reincarnation is playing in Plato.…”

“…In the Gītā as well, of course, Kṛṣṇa invites Arjuna to see all the other Gods immediately in him (33[11].6), as well as the whole universe (33[11].7), a typical affirmation of what has been termed the "polycentric" character of polytheism. 23 The henadological reading also permits Kṛṣṇa to state accurately and without contradiction 21 For more on this reading of the Platonic "paradigm," see Butler (2014). 22 On the two modes of reversion, see Butler (2007).…”