Project description
A closer look at Plato’s intricate web of ideas
In the realm of ancient philosophy, the enigmatic concepts of Space and Necessity in Plato’s work have long intrigued scholars. With the support of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the EU-funded Platonic Materiality project delves into these elusive notions in a groundbreaking monograph titled: Materiality and Cosmology in Plato and the Platonic Tradition. At its core, the project scrutinises Plato’s intricate perspectives on Necessity (anankeē) and Space (choōra). While traditionally linked to Platonic matter, these notions have generated divergent interpretations. The monograph’s first segment critically dissects theories by Plutarch, Plotinus, and Proclus, unveiling their Aristotle-influenced views on Necessity and Space. The second part probes Plato’s views on materiality and cosmology, definitively pinpointing Necessity, rather than choōra, as the crux of Platonic material essence.
Objective
The tentative title of this project which is going to culminate in a monograph published with a reputable publisher is Materiality and Cosmology in Plato and the Platonic Tradition. My investigations will focus on Platos concepts of Necessity (anank) and Space (chra), the latter of which was traditionally identified with Platonic matter. The monograph will consist of two parts. In the first, I shall critically analyze the theories of matter expounded by Plutarch, Plotinus, and Proclus. Their perspectives are based on differing readings of Platos Necessity and Space, nevertheless heavily informed by Aristotles doctrine of hyl. The Platonists saw Platonic Space as identical with Aristotelian matter, while their interpretations of Necessity varied widely. The discussion developed in the first part is primarily meant to aid the reader in discerning what Plato really said, through the process of sifting out Aristotelian and other influences. In the second part, I shall turn to Platos view on materiality and its cosmological role, as presented in the Timaeus, but also elsewhere. In it, I shall demonstrate clearly and decisively the following points. a) If we were to designate something in the Timaeus as Plato's causa materialis, that something would be anank, not chra; nevertheless, such an attribution would be anachronistic, for Plato did not operate with a notion of matter, but with that of corporeality instead. b) Consequently, it is impossible for chra, which is manifestly different from anank, to play that role. That is, chra cannot be something out of which, but only that in which the world has been fashioned. I shall also discuss some debated corollaries and conclude that i) Necessity proper arises only after the demiurgic intervention and is not present in the pre-cosmic chaos; ii) Necessity is identical with the Errant Cause; iii) Plato's Space is not sheer extension like Newton's, but a full-fledged entity and a plenum of perhaps undisclosed content.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1010 WIEN
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.