Lexington Books The Emergent Metaphysics in Plato's Theory of Disorder

The Emergent Metaphysics in Plato's Theory of Disorder presents for the first time Plato's theory of disorder as it pertains to his understanding of powerful causal forces at work within and outwith the cosmos and the soul of man. Divided into two Parts and presenting passages in both Greek and English, Plato's cosmology, the Timaeus, and his chief theological work, Laws X, are discussed in detail. In the Timaeus 'Ananke' is introduced as one of two powerful primal causes, a disordering force second only to the 'Demiurgos,' an ordering power and 'father' of the universe. Ananke is presented as being responsible for the physical chaos that existed prior to the generation of the universe, as well as for any residual disorder left within the cosmos after its formation. However, later, in Laws X Plato hypothesizes a different sort of disordering power, a destructive force active long after the cosmos has been generated, a primal 'Soul' capable of endangering not just the physical universe, but also the soul of man. What ultimately arises from the juxtaposition of these two dialogues is a dynamic theory of disorder in which an epistemology is outlined, an ontology is given and from which, it is argued, a metaphysics of disorder emerges. Charles's work is a rich addition to the study of Plato and philosophy. Review What is admirable about this book is that the author supports a reading of the Timaeus (and of Laws X) that is not likely to be popular among scholars and commentators in the field, and she does so with great tenacity and attention to detail. She does this not only through analysis of the texts themselves, but also by engaging with the views of earlier commentators such as Archer-Hind, Taylor and Burnet as well as more recent ones, and in a way that is commensurate with the rigour that these commentators require. She supports a metaphysical reading of the Timaeus, in which the Demiurge and Ananke (necessity) are viewed as real operating causes in the creation of Cosmos out of the pre-existing chaos. What is particularly interesting is the fact that she makes the further, and contentious, step of identifying in Laws X what she claims are descendants of these two primary causes, but operating within the world, in a way that facilitates the aims of the text (the upholding of piety against impiety). It is her claim that we are dealing here with a continuous metaphysical development between the two texts. There can never be, in such matters, a final and unchallengeable position - the best that we can hope for is a well-argued case, and this book certainly provides that.--Andros Loizou, University of Central Lancashire About the Author S. R. Charles is a philosopher and metaphysician specializing in Ancient Philosophy, particularly late Platonic scholarship, as well as ethics.