Plato's Natural Philosophy: A Study of the Timaeus-Critias

The Timaeus-Critias deals with cosmology and with Plato's claim that its central task is to articulate the way in which the cosmos manifests the values of goodness and beauty. Its study is therefore recommended if we are to lead better lives. This book examines this important dialogue in its entirety for the first time using the current methods of Platonic scholarship. It argues that Aristotle's physics is far closer to the Timaeus than usually realised. Other prominent findings reinforce the dialogue's essentially moral message, and elucidate its literary character.