Would any of the Forum be interested in reading Chorology, On Beginning in Plato’s Timaeus written by John Sallis?
Here is a link to the book.
I have yet to host a discussion here.
Is this book worth anybody else’s while?
I would be. I hope others will as well.
I’d follow along. Not very familiar with the text yet but a targetted discussion is always a good way of learning more about it.
I’m browsing the book now via online library. Looks great so far ! I could use an easier-to-read digital copy though. I might order the paperback. I’m in if I can get a good copy.
Even if as fire, it nonetheless appears; it appears, even if never as itself.
Thanks for hosting this discussion. It will be interesting to see how it develops. Best wishes 
Unfortunately, the link doesn’t take me to anything readable. Pages are either limited or ‘unable for viewing’. Is there anything else available online?
In any case, I think I would first need to read Plato’s Timaeus or the passages relevant to Sallis?
I found Horan’s translation with a pdf download:
Timaeus - Platonic Foundation
The Introduction and Analysis by Jowett:
Of all the writings of Plato the Timaeus is the most obscure and repulsive to the modern reader, and has nevertheless had the greatest influence over the ancient and mediaeval world. The obscurity arises in the infancy of physical science, out of the confusion of theological, mathematical, and physiological notions, out of the desire to conceive the whole of nature without any adequate knowledge of the parts, and from a greater perception of similarities which lie on the surface than of differences which are hidden from view. To bring sense under the control of reason; to find some way through the mist or labyrinth of appearances, either the highway of mathematics, or more devious paths suggested by the analogy of man with the world, and of the world with man; to see that all things have a cause and are tending towards an end—this is the spirit of the ancient physical philosopher…
His mind lingers around the forms of mythology, which he uses as symbols or translates into figures of speech. He has no implements of observation, such as the telescope or microscope; the great science of chemistry is a blank to him. It is only by an effort that the modern thinker can breathe the atmosphere of the ancient philosopher, or understand how, under such unequal conditions, he seems in many instances, by a sort of inspiration, to have anticipated the truth. — The Project Gutenberg eBook of Timaeus, by Plato
Sometimes I wonder why I should read anything Plato, the Universe and Everything.
Here’s 15 mins from Dr Horan:
Why Read Plato - Dr David Horan - YouTube
One final phrase from Socrates: “Value wisdom and truth, more than money, reputation and honour.”
Wondering about how I might usefully participate in this discussion of a book I can’t access. Is it good enough or helpful, to start with Plato’s ‘chora’ to focus on his discussion of the universe, starting 49a?
I found this:
Plato’s Timaeus (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
From Section 6 The Receptacle:
Timaeus does not use any descriptive word that can suitably be translated as “matter” or “material”; he does, however, use the word, “space” (chôra ). And its function of providing a “seat” (hedra , 52b1) reinforces the conception that its role is to provide a spatial location for the things that enter it and disappear from it (49e7–8, 50c4–5, 52a4–6).
Yes, reading the book would involve reading Plato at the same time.
This reading sample at Amazon gives a few pages to see Sallis’ approach.
I think Jowett’s emphasis on scientific knowledge misses how our concepts of nature require the work of philosophy.
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It seems there is a complementary thread discussing Sallis:
“Partaking Of The Intelligible” : Plato’s Timaeus - Metaphysics & Epistemology - The Philosophy Forum
with links and sources of interest. 60/63
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