The ancient quarrel between philosophy and poetry : Plato and the Greek literary tradition

This study argues that Plato takes the Greek literary tradition as a key locus of ideas with respect to linguistic issues in the "Cratylus", "Phaedo", and "The Republic".

This evidence regarding his philosophy of language, conjoined with a new interpretation of "The Republic's" familiar critique of poets, supports the view that, far from functioning merely as a target for those seeking ways in which philosophy might benefit from appeals to literature, Plato's work represents a valuable precedent for inquiry in this area.