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Abstract
In this article I explore the several mentions of food that Plato makes in the first book of his work, Republic. I propose that the occurrences of examples and metaphors about food in this book strongly suggest that Plato used food as a metaphor for philosophy: Socrates, playing the role of philosopher and doctor, dispenses food (i.e. philosophy) to those in need of healing. These are not only the future inhabitants of the ideal city of Republic, book II, but also the remaining characters of the dialogue as well as its current readers. This serves as a basis to further suggest that Plato's vision could inform a contemporary approach to food as an instrument to discuss the role of philosophy in our lives, and vice versa, particularly with respect to building a just city.
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Ileana F. Szymanski
Ileana F. Szymanski is an assistant professor in the University of Scranton's Department of Philosophy. Her most recent research explores the crossroads of two of her passions: ancient philosophy and the philosophy of food. She also has publications on the topics of exile and feminism, and the role of the knight of faith in Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling. She has also published an interview with noted Italian philosopher Gianni Vattimo, and has translated the work of scholars that explore Vattimos' thought. Department of Philosophy, University of Scranton, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510, USA ([email protected]).
