In Mortal Imitations of Divine Life, Diamond offers an interpretation of De Anima, which explains... more In Mortal Imitations of Divine Life, Diamond offers an interpretation of De Anima, which explains how and why Aristotle places souls in a hierarchy of value. Aristotle’s central intention in De Anima is to discover the nature and essence of soul—the principle of living beings. He does so by identifying the common structures underlying every living activity, whether it be eating, perceiving, thinking, or moving through space. As Diamond demonstrates through close readings of De Anima, the nature of the soul is most clearly seen in its divine life, while the embodied soul’s other activities are progressively clear approximations of this principle. This interpretation shows how Aristotle’s psychology and biology cannot be properly understood apart from his theological conception of God as life, and offers a new explanation of De Anima’s unity of purpose and structure.
Two trials frame the argument of Plato's Euthyphro: Meletus prosecution of Socrates and Euthyphro... more Two trials frame the argument of Plato's Euthyphro: Meletus prosecution of Socrates and Euthyphro's prosecution of his own father. Though the parallels between the two situations have often been noted, the rigour and exactness of Plato's analogy have not been fully appreciated. This article explores the philosophical significance of this literary parallel.
I argue that, through the course of the argument of Euthyphro, the traditional Greek gods are qui... more I argue that, through the course of the argument of Euthyphro, the traditional Greek gods are quietly replaced by universal causal essences or forms. Once this substitution has been made, the traditional conception of piety as the proper way for humans to relate to the gods can be preserved. Socrates exemplifies in his words and deeds this combination of traditional piety and revolutionary philosophical theology.
In Mortal Imitations of Divine Life, Diamond offers an interpretation of De Anima, which explains... more In Mortal Imitations of Divine Life, Diamond offers an interpretation of De Anima, which explains how and why Aristotle places souls in a hierarchy of value. Aristotle’s central intention in De Anima is to discover the nature and essence of soul—the principle of living beings. He does so by identifying the common structures underlying every living activity, whether it be eating, perceiving, thinking, or moving through space. As Diamond demonstrates through close readings of De Anima, the nature of the soul is most clearly seen in its divine life, while the embodied soul’s other activities are progressively clear approximations of this principle. This interpretation shows how Aristotle’s psychology and biology cannot be properly understood apart from his theological conception of God as life, and offers a new explanation of De Anima’s unity of purpose and structure.
Two trials frame the argument of Plato's Euthyphro: Meletus prosecution of Socrates and Euthyphro... more Two trials frame the argument of Plato's Euthyphro: Meletus prosecution of Socrates and Euthyphro's prosecution of his own father. Though the parallels between the two situations have often been noted, the rigour and exactness of Plato's analogy have not been fully appreciated. This article explores the philosophical significance of this literary parallel.
I argue that, through the course of the argument of Euthyphro, the traditional Greek gods are qui... more I argue that, through the course of the argument of Euthyphro, the traditional Greek gods are quietly replaced by universal causal essences or forms. Once this substitution has been made, the traditional conception of piety as the proper way for humans to relate to the gods can be preserved. Socrates exemplifies in his words and deeds this combination of traditional piety and revolutionary philosophical theology.
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