Lyotard and Greek thought: sophistry

Crome, Keith J. (2004) Lyotard and Greek thought: sophistry. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1403912386

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Abstract

For a long time Jean-François Lyotard was primarily know as the author of The Postmodern Condition. Recent years have seen a revaluation of this reputation, and a growing appreciation of the philosophical range and significance of Lyotard's writings. This book extends that appreciation by arguing for the importance of Lyotard's analyses of sophistry. The first part of the book examines the accounts of sophistry given in the works of Plato, Hegel and Heidegger. Sensitive to the important differences between them it nevertheless established their fundamental identity. The second part shows the radicality of Lyotard's analyses in contrast to such traditional philosophical views, and argues that by way of his recovery of sophistry's intellectual and political value Lyotard is able to call into question the terms in which European philosophy has sought to return to its origins in Greek thought. The book concludes by offering a sophistical reading of The Differend.