<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this paper is to read Antisthenes’ speeches <italic>Ajax</italic> and <italic>Odysseus</italic> from the perspective of “Socratic discourses”, that is as a text which could represent an alternative form of the search for a good life. The putative theme of the speeches is the contest for the arms of Achilles. But readers can find at a deeper level another subject: Ajax and Odysseus show two moral characters involved in the debate over the correct meaning of excellence (<italic>aretē</italic>) or practical wisdom (<italic>phronēsis</italic>).</p></abstract>

The aim of this paper is to read Antisthenes’ speeches Ajax and Odysseus from the perspective of “Socratic discourses”, that is as a text which could represent an alternative form of the search for a good life. The putative theme of the speeches is the contest for the arms of Achilles. But readers can find at a deeper level another subject: Ajax and Odysseus show two moral characters involved in the debate over the correct meaning of excellence (aretē) or practical wisdom (phronēsis).

<italic>Phronēsis</italic> in Antisthenes’ <italic>Ajax</italic> and <italic>Odysseus</italic>

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The aim of this paper is to read Antisthenes’ speeches Ajax and Odysseus from the perspective of “Socratic discourses”, that is as a text which could represent...

Phronēsis in Antisthenes’ Ajax and Odysseus

Published Online: Jun 26, 2017

Page range: 5 - 12

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ebce-2017-0005

Keywords
Antisthenes’ and, Socratic dialogue, searching for a good life

© 2017 Vladislav Suvák, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Phronēsis in Antisthenes’ Ajax and Odysseus

Published Online: Jun 26, 2017

Page range: 5 - 12

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ebce-2017-0005

KeywordsAntisthenes’ and, Socratic dialogue, searching for a good life

© 2017 Vladislav Suvák, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Antisthenes’ and, Socratic dialogue, searching for a good life