Hipparchus (dialogue)

The Hipparchus (/hɪˈpɑːrkəs/; Greek: Ἵππαρχος), or Hipparch, is a dialogue attributed to the classical Greek philosopher and writer Plato. Like many of Plato's original works, Socrates is featured trying to define a single term, "love of gain" in this case, or philokerdēs (φιλοκερδές) in the original text.

There is some debate as to the work's authenticity. Stylistically, the dialogue bears many similarities to the Minos. They are the only dialogues between Socrates and a single anonymous companion; they are the only dialogues where the titles bear the name of someone long-dead; and they are the only dialogues which begin with Socrates raising a "what is" question.^[1] Thus, many scholars conclude that both were written by the same author, probably soon after the middle of the fourth century BC.^[2]

In the dialogue, Socrates recounts the life of Hipparchus, a tyrant of 6th century Athens and son of the famous ruler Peisistratus. Hipparchus was known for his maxims, one of which was about fairness among friends, and thus there is second theme in the dialogue concerning intellectual honesty in dialectical discussion.^[2]

^ Thomas L. Pangle, (1987), The roots of political philosophy: ten forgotten Socratic dialogues, page 78. Cornell University Press, ISBN 978-0801494659
^ ^a ^b John Madison Cooper, D. S. Hutchinson, eds., Plato, Complete works, Indianapolis, Indiana, Hackett Publishing, 1997, ISBN 978-0-87220-349-5, page 609.

[1] Thomas L. Pangle, (1987), The roots of political philosophy: ten forgotten Socratic dialogues, page 78. Cornell University Press, ISBN 978-0801494659

[cooper-2] John Madison Cooper, D. S. Hutchinson, eds., Plato, Complete works, Indianapolis, Indiana, Hackett Publishing, 1997, ISBN 978-0-87220-349-5, page 609.

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