The face of the moon: science and myth in Plutarch of Chaeroneia
Journal title RIVISTA DI STORIA DELLA FILOSOFIA
Author/s Pierluigi Donini
Publishing Year 2010 Issue 2010/3
Language Italian Pages 32 P. 391-422 File size 748 KB
DOI 10.3280/SF2010-003001
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In Plutarch’s De Facie in Orbe Lunae myth plays throughout a greater more significant role than that which it has, albeit considerable, during the final part of the narration in chapters 26-30. That is to say, chapter 1 shows that myth even enters the logical and scientific reasoning of the first part of the dialogue and then turns out to be in chapter 21 an indispensable and decisive tool with a view to demonstrating the moon’s earthy nature. Thus, both in Syllas’ mythical narration in chapters 26-30 and in chapter 21, which quotes the Platonic myth in the Phaedo, myth always has the same function: to suggest (without claiming to give a demonstration) something that logic and scientific rationality are unable to say.
Keywords: Plutarch, de facie, moon, science, myth
Pierluigi Donini, Il volto della luna: scienza e mito in Plutarco di Cheronea in "RIVISTA DI STORIA DELLA FILOSOFIA" 3/2010, pp 391-422, DOI: 10.3280/SF2010-003001