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Ratiocination And Socrates' Daimonion: A Practical Solution, Anthony K. Jensen
Ratiocination And Socrates' Daimonion: A Practical Solution, Anthony K. Jensen
The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter
Socrates's commitment to 'follow the argument wherever it leads' seems to be at odds with his notorious 'divine sign' or daimonion. It appears in several dialogues as a divine force that Socrates cannot help but to obey, even in some cases where no negative consequences would seem to have otherwise obtained. This paper explores the meaning of the daimonion in the religious and cultural contexts of early Greece, concluding that the scope of the daimonion is restricted to Socrates' practical activities rather than his theoretical engagements.