Democracy and Knowledge in Ancient Greece

Tamer Nawar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Ancient philosophers were often critical of the epistemic features of democratic institutions. In this chapter, I first offer a critical review of the principal institutions of Athenian democracy. I then clarify what I take to be Plato’s central argument against democracy, which turns upon its epistemic failings. I then examine Aristotle’s views about democracy and knowledge and his views concerning the epistemic powers of groups. Finally, I conclude by examining what Hellenistic and post-Hellenistic philosophers had to say about democracy and knowledge.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Political Epistemology
EditorsMichael Hannon, Jeroen de Ridder
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter1
Pages13-24
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9780429326769
ISBN (Print)9780367345907
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Cite this