플라톤의 『티마이오스』편에서 필연에 대한 지성의 설득

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to elucidate how intelligence persuades necessity as is presented in the cosmology of Plato’s Timaeus and what meaning the intelligence’s way of persuasion has in the human life. The process by which Demiurge, the incarnation of intelligence, persuades necessity to create the cosmos offers an example of making in the wide sense of the word. The precosmic materials in the state of disorder given to Demiurge is mentioned as “the effects of necessity”, and he endows them with order by using shapes and numbers. But the precosmic materials do not exist in the state of utter disorder. Since they already retain the traces of the four cardinal elements, they has the potential capability of becoming ordered being. Therefore Demiurge’s way of creation can be regarded as one of persuasion. In the course of persuasion it is the concepts of measurement and proportion above all that are emphasized. Moreover, as is well shown in the exposition as to the constitution of human body, in intelligence’s persuasion it is of great importance to minimize the negative influences so as to make necessity conduce toward goodness. Such a cosmological explanation can also be applied to the account of human existence. Human physical conditions, desires, passions, etc. are all necessary elements for human being. Because these can by themselves be excessive and perverted, it is quite important to control these in the right way for human happiness. Though Plato did not use the word ‘persuasion’ in this respect, the way of persuasion presented in the cosmological terms can also be properly applied to the ruling of inevitable elements for human being.