The paper considers PHerc. 1788, fr. 6 Crönert as a source for Presocratic doxography. Indeed, in the Neapolitan apograph of the papyrus it is possible to read a testimonium to Thales, which has hitherto not been taken into due account. A clear reference to a monistic physical theory can be restored in the lines immediately following the mention of Thales. The piece of evidence falls in a polemical context. An Epicurean (probably Philodemus) seems to take the side of a philosopher accused by others (most likely Epicurean dissidents) to have stolen several theories of Thales and in particular his equation of the first principle with the “One” (ἕν).
On the Supposed Monism of Thales in PHerc. 1788 (= VH2 VIII 60, fr. 6). Praesocratica Herculanensia I
Christian Vassallo
2015-01-01
Abstract
The paper considers PHerc. 1788, fr. 6 Crönert as a source for Presocratic doxography. Indeed, in the Neapolitan apograph of the papyrus it is possible to read a testimonium to Thales, which has hitherto not been taken into due account. A clear reference to a monistic physical theory can be restored in the lines immediately following the mention of Thales. The piece of evidence falls in a polemical context. An Epicurean (probably Philodemus) seems to take the side of a philosopher accused by others (most likely Epicurean dissidents) to have stolen several theories of Thales and in particular his equation of the first principle with the “One” (ἕν).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
