Abstract

Theaetetus is certainly one of the most complex dialogues and one of the most difficult to read, and its terminal part perhaps constitutes its most enigmatic aspect, because we are not told who Plato is conversing with and why, regarding the "theory of the dream" expressed as follows: "science is a true opinion accompanied by logos" (201c9-d1); thethree definitions of logos given by Socrates all prove insufficient for defining science. The intent of the Conference whose Proceedings are published here was mainly to draw attention to two themes: one historical and the other more theoretical. From the historical point of view, on several occasions the name of Antisthenes has been mentioned, but not everyone was in agreement; from the theoretical point of view, one wonders what logos is able to define science and to what knowledge Socrates alludes, when at the end of the dialogue he invites Theodorus (and Theaetetus) to meet again the next morning to continue the search. But what search?