Theaetetus
In the Theaetetus, Plato asks what knowledge is and finds no answer he is willing to accept. Socrates, on the day before his indictment, meets the young mathematician Theaetetus and tests three definitions in turn: knowledge is perception, which leads to a long examination of Protagoras and his claim that man is the measure of all things and of Heraclitus's doctrine of flux; knowledge is true judgment, which raises the puzzle of how false judgment is possible at all; and knowledge is true judgment with an account, which turns out to be circular. The dialogue is famous for its image of Socrates as a midwife of ideas and for its digression on the philosopher in the law court. Benjamin Jowett's translation includes his introduction. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
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Frequently asked questions about Theaetetus
Theaetetus by Plato can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Theaetetus online?
Yes. Theaetetus opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Theaetetus free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Theaetetus is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Theaetetus in the public domain?
Yes. Theaetetus by Plato is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Benjamin Jowett. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Theaetetus?
About 4 h 23 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Theaetetus?
Theaetetus by Plato is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
