Gaping eyes and staring mouth: on Plato's literary subtlety in Resp. VII 529 A-C
Gaping eyes and staring mouth: on Plato's literary subtlety in Resp. VII 529 A-C

Summary/Abstract: Platon, in the seventh state book criticizing practical astronomy based on the empirical observation of light and phenomena in the sky, and opposing theoretical astronomy based on pure thinking, capable of exposing the true, deep nature of the sky, delicately conveys its critique with an ironic link between the mouth (as one big " eye ") and eyes (as two small" mouths "), which is especially evident in the phrase ἐάντε τις ἄνω κεχηνὼς ἢ κάτω συμμεμυκώς [...] (" Whether someone staring up / down or looking down (occupying / taking) / shut up (jiggers / watched?) [...]). The article, based on the close context of this passage and the philosophical interfaces, analyzes the possibilities of interpreting and translating the above phrase, it is revealed that the equivalence of physical eyes in the mouth (for two small mouths) subtly expresses Plato's belief that empirical observation is based on practical astronomy, only gourmet "tasting" the celestial treasures , is unable to grasp the true nature of the phenomena of heaven.

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