Traktat Gorgiasza O niebycie, czyli o naturze – świadectwa, wyciągi, polemiki
Gorgias’ Treatise ‘On Not-being or On Nature’ – Summaries, Testimonies and Polemics

Summary/Abstract: Beginning with a thematic introduction, we present here, in a new Polish translation, two extensive summaries of Gorgias᾿ treatise On Not-being or On Nature, which seems to reverse Parmenides᾿ trinitarian identity of being – thinking – saying, namely: “nothing is, if something is, it is unknowable, and if something is and is knowable, it cannot be indicated to others”. We also cite several related early testimonies and polemics around the sophistic approach to “not-being” and the resolution of this aporia undertaken by Plato and Aristotle. In addition, we cite in translation those ancient testimonies which concern Gorgias᾿ explanation of the natural phenomena of color and of fire through certain effluxes and pores. Gorgias probably adopted these views from his master, Empedocles of Acragas.

• Details
• Contents