Target vs. Object: Knowledge, Belief and Ignorance in Plato’s Republic V

Naomi Reshotko (University of Denver)

I examine the three-part distinction among the epistemological capacities found at Republic 476e4-479d5, knowledge, belief and ignorance, and what they are epi. In order to do so, I bring forward four elements of the passage that require close attention in order to clarify what we are told about these capacities. Many scholars take this discussion of three capacities and what they are epi in the Republic to be a template for Plato’s understanding of epistemological capacities and their objects throughout the dialogues. I conclude that Plato did not intend this discussion of these capacities as a paradigm concerning the objects of these three epistemological states. Rather, it is an analysis of what is wrong with the ontology of the Lover of Sights and Sounds (LSS), to whom this speech is directed in absentia. The passage explains why being an LSS is worse than being a philosopher but better than being ignorant. Following Nicholas Smith, I make the clarification that, in the Republic passage, it is the target (that at which a capacity is aimed) rather than the object (that which a capacity is about) of belief and ignorance that each capacity is epi. I argue that, despite being aimed by their subjects at very different kinds of things, knowledge, belief and ignorance all have the same object: the Forms. Not only do I show that this thesis is consistent with Republic 476e4-479d5, but also that this very passage contains textual evidence for it. I depart strongly from interpreters who believe that Plato is, herein, proposing a second world other than—and distinct from—the Forms.