Plato’s poetic wisdom in the myth of Er

Abstract

The interlink between myth and wisdom in Hellenic heritage is characteristically embodied in the Platonic philosophizing as regards the education and enculturation of the human psyche. As is read in the end of The Republic, the myth of Er turns out to be a philosophical rewriting of poetry to a large degree. For it engagingly reveals Plato’s moral inculcation, philosophical instruction and poetic wisdom in particular, all of which are intended to guide human conduct along the right track for the bliss of the postmortem cycle, and put philosophy learning into first priority for the choice of the future life. Moreover, the transmigrate experience in the mystic overtone of “the Orphic-Pythagorean conglomerate” is discussed with a intercultural reference to the Buddhist doctrines of samsara and karma.

摘要

在古希腊, “爱神话”与“爱智慧”彼此密切相关, 犹如硬币之两面。 柏拉图在对话中经常以神话喻说达到“话语转向”的戏剧性效果。 在«理想国»的结尾处, 柏拉图通过讲述厄洛斯魂游冥界的神话故事, 一方面喻示因果报应式的道德训诫, 另一方面表明哲学作为“爱智之学”对选择人生道路的重要意义, 从而以“言有尽而意无穷”的方式彰显出诗性智慧的特有神韵。