플라톤과 서양철학사: 자체성(auto kath’ auto)과 철학적 최상급의 개념을 중심으로

Abstract

Plato’s influences on Western philosophies are basic and manifold. This paper focuses on his concepts of ‘auto kath’ auto’ and philosophical superlatives. It further examines problems of these concepts and their history of influences on western philosophy, and suggests clues for alternative thinking. It is Plato’s ‘auto kath’ auto(itself by itself)’ that is the source of the main reasoning and concepts of Western philosophers. This is the most representative and unique expression when Plato defines main features of his Form. This phrase implies self-identity, irreducibility, independence, and essence. This concept leads Plato to form what Wittgenstein mentions as ‘philosophical facts’ or ‘philosophical superlatives.’ The concept of superlative is the logical basis for central concepts of major Western philosophers, such as the absolute certainty of Descartes (epistemological superlative), Kant’s categorical imperative or good-will (ethical superlative), the ideal language of logical positivism (linguistic superlative). These concepts have exercised long-lasting influences on modern epistemology, ethics and logic. This paper points out problems of these concepts, utilizing discussions of Wittgenstein, Saussure, and D. Davidson. The notion of absolute certainty or global skepticism is logically absurd, and assumming existence of philosophical facts leads us to face the rule following paradox. It is argued that the self-identical or superlative being such as universals or abstracts turns out to be private entities which cannot provide the objective foundation for meanings of language. Thus the concepts of self-identity and philosophical superlative, and thought-categories of Western philosophy based on these must be critically reconsidered. These criticisms do not entail the end of philosophy. We need to look for new ways of thinking, and we may find some clues in centrality of language suggested by Wittgenstein, sociability of the mind, inter-dependance of existence, and East Asian concept of Li(禮) or correct name(正名). We should note that East Asian philosophers have developped a long tradition of philosophy without concepts of self-identity, philosophical superlatives, or even without the notion of truth.