Plato's Timaeus

Rating:
Summary: Plato's Timaeus by Peter Kalkavage
Review: Plato's Timaeus by Peter Kalkavage includes the Kalkavage translation of the Dialogue and two supporting sections, the introduction and the glossary, that are integral to the richness of the book. The Dialogue portion is beautifully translated and very readable. The introduction provides a fascinating treatise for the person wanting to understand the Timaeus as well as how Platonic dialogues generally might be approached. The glossary is not simply a list of terms and definitions, but offers an explanation of the concepts embedded in the language of the Dialogue. Peter Kalkavage's Timaeus is not just for scholars. It offers insight for all those interested in Greek philosophy, Platonic dialogues and in particular, Plato's view of the creation of the cosmos and man's place within it.

Rating:
Summary: Immensely useful
Review: The Timaeus is doubtless one of the most difficult of Plato's dialogues for modern student to unravel, in part because of the vital role played by mathematics in Timaeus' narrative. Kalkavage's appendices provide clear introductions to these aspects of the argument, which supersede Cornford on some points. The translation is very literal, and if that's your thing, quite impeccable. Kalkavage in his Introduction expresses intellectual debts to Jacob Klein, Richard Kennington, and Stanley Rosen; this is a most interesting pedigree, especially as one assumes that the absence of the obvious "fourth" must be intentional.

I should remark, in reference to the review below, that the Timaeus presupposes some familiarity with Plato's philosophy; those just embarking on this study would be best advised to begin with the Alcibiades or the Meno.

Rating:
Summary: Immensely useful
Review: This is presented in dialogue style with an introduction by the
author. Both were a waste of time, at least for me, so that
if you intended to transmit some sort of knowledge or learning
it certainly was not done by this book.

Just from looking at it, I was sure it would have some piece
of meat that would make my life easier, but alas, I became
bogged down trying to determine what was being said, was it true,
or was someone pulling my leg. If this is the source of the
story of Atlantis, I sure would not be looking for that place
based upon this writing.

I did not like it, mainly because it did not transmit any
type of knowledge or learning for me. Maybe I'm stupid, but then
...well.....maybe.

Rating:
Summary: Am I on dope or what??
Review: This is presented in dialogue style with an introduction by the
author. Both were a waste of time, at least for me, so that
if you intended to transmit some sort of knowledge or learning
it certainly was not done by this book.

Just from looking at it, I was sure it would have some piece
of meat that would make my life easier, but alas, I became
bogged down trying to determine what was being said, was it true,
or was someone pulling my leg. If this is the source of the
story of Atlantis, I sure would not be looking for that place
based upon this writing.

I did not like it, mainly because it did not transmit any
type of knowledge or learning for me. Maybe I'm stupid, but then
...well.....maybe.