Listening to the Cicadas

This full-length study of Plato's dialogue Phaedrus, now in paperback, is written in the belief that such concerted scrutiny of a single dialogue is an important part of the project of understanding Plato so far as possible 'from the inside' - of gaining a feel for the man's philosophy. The focus of this account is on how the resources both of persuasive myth and of formal argument, for all that Plato sets them in strong contrast, nevertheless complement and reinforce each other in his philosophy. Not only is the dialogue in its formal structure a dovetail of myth and argument, but the philosophic life that it praises is also shaped by an acknowledgement of the limitations of argument and the importance of mythical understanding. By means of this correlation of form and content Plato invites his readers, through the very act of reading, to take a first step along the path of the philosophical life.

' … a very bold, worthwhile and stimulating experiment in this exciting field … Ferrari writes in a witty, rather mischievous and sophisticated prose style … [and] he deserves sympathy and approval for his attempt to find a style which is in keeping with, and will do justice to, the serious play of the Phaedrus … [Ferrari] includes some excellent discussion of particular sections of the dialogue, and the author's method - close reading and sustained attention to the literary and historical context of Plato's words - can only be applauded.' Phronesis, ' … this is a sophisticated and challenging book, which in many ways sets new standards for the treatment of Plato as ironist and literary artist, not least in its scrupulous attention to the text.' Classical Review