The thesis investigates the relationship between the figurative style of Plato's Republic and the epistemological theories articulated in the dialogue. Drawing on Conceptual Metaphor Theory, it argues that Plato’s linguistic images (eikones) are best understood as linguistic manifestations of deeper metaphorical conceptual structures, such that interpreting Plato’s images entails engaging in metaphorical thinking through them. The work is organised into three main sections: Section 1 examines ancient conceptions of figurative language; Section 2 focuses on Plato’s own pre-rhetorical and pre-disciplinary understanding of imagery; and Section 3 analyses the conceptual domains of DISCOURSE and COGNITION as they emerge in the images of the Republic.
Picciafuochi, M. (2025). Di'eikonôn legein. Immagini e pensiero nella Repubblica di Platone.
Di'eikonôn legein. Immagini e pensiero nella Repubblica di Platone
Marco Picciafuochi
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2025-09-15
Abstract
The thesis investigates the relationship between the figurative style of Plato's Republic and the epistemological theories articulated in the dialogue. Drawing on Conceptual Metaphor Theory, it argues that Plato’s linguistic images (eikones) are best understood as linguistic manifestations of deeper metaphorical conceptual structures, such that interpreting Plato’s images entails engaging in metaphorical thinking through them. The work is organised into three main sections: Section 1 examines ancient conceptions of figurative language; Section 2 focuses on Plato’s own pre-rhetorical and pre-disciplinary understanding of imagery; and Section 3 analyses the conceptual domains of DISCOURSE and COGNITION as they emerge in the images of the Republic.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
