PARMENIDES

Diairesis is a method of division or separation that aims to distinguish between different

kinds or types of things. In the context of Parmenides' philosophy, diairesis is used to
differentiate between reality and appearance, or between what truly exists and what only
appears to exist.

In the "Parmenides" dialogue, Parmenides applies the method of diairesis to challenge

Socrates' views on the theory of Forms. He argues that Forms are unchanging, eternal,
and independent of the physical world, while the physical world is constantly changing
and subject to generation and decay. By using the method of diairesis, Parmenides helps
to clarify the nature of reality and existence, and to distinguish between what truly is
and what only appears to be.

The use of diairesis in the "Parmenides" dialogue is important because it highlights the
distinction between reality and appearance, and it helps to further our understanding of
the nature of Forms and the relationship between Forms and the physical world. By
using this method, Parmenides advances the philosophical discourse and contributes to
the development of Platonic philosophy.

It's difficult to say exactly how Parmenides would analyze the Parable of the Prodigal
Son, as the parable is from the New Testament and is part of the Christian tradition,
while Parmenides was a pre-Socratic philosopher and predates the advent of
Christianity by several centuries. However, I can imagine that he might approach the
analysis in a similar manner to how he approached other philosophical questions.

One possible way that Parmenides might analyze the Parable of the Prodigal Son is by
using the method of diairesis to distinguish between different aspects of the story. For
example, he might divide the story into the following categories:

1. The relationship between the prodigal son and his father

2. The relationship between the prodigal son and his wealth
 3. The concept of repentance and forgiveness
4. The themes of redemption and restoration

By using diairesis in this way, Parmenides might be able to clarify the different aspects
of the parable and to understand the meaning and significance of each aspect. He might
also be able to draw philosophical conclusions about the nature of relationships, wealth,
forgiveness, and redemption, and to use these conclusions to further his inquiry into the
nature of reality and existence.

Of course, this is only one possible way that Parmenides might analyze the Parable of
the Prodigal Son, and it's important to remember that the parable is part of a religious
tradition that is distinct from the philosophy of Parmenides. Nevertheless, the use of
diairesis in this example serves to demonstrate how the method can be used to clarify
and understand complex subjects.

Here's an example of using both the Diairesis method and the method of asking "what is
and what is not" to analyze the famine, the owner of the swine, and the elder brother in
the Parable of the Prodigal Son:

Diairesis Method:

1. What is the famine:

o It is a period of scarcity of food and resources
o It is a force that drives the prodigal son to return home
o It is a catalyst for change and growth in the prodigal son
2. What is not the famine:
o It is not the only reason for the prodigal son's return home
o It is not the only factor in shaping the prodigal son's life
o It is not a permanent or enduring state of affairs

Method of Asking "What is and What is not":

1. What is the owner of the swine:

o He is the employer of the prodigal son
o He is a representative of worldly desires and pursuits
o He is a symbol of the prodigal son's fall from grace
 2. What is not the owner of the swine:
o He is not a positive or desirable figure in the parable
o He is not a true source of happiness or fulfillment for the prodigal son
o He is not the source of the prodigal son's redemption or restoration
3. What is the elder brother:
o He is the sibling of the prodigal son
o He is responsible and obedient to his father
o He represents the traditional values and attitudes of his society
4. What is not the elder brother:
o He is not entirely forgiving or understanding towards his younger brother
o He is not necessarily a model of true morality or spirituality
o He is not a fully developed or mature character in the parable

By using both the Diairesis method and the method of asking "what is and what is not,"
we can gain a deeper understanding of the different elements and themes in the Parable
of the Prodigal Son. This allows us to appreciate the philosophical implications of the
parable, such as the nature of redemption, forgiveness, and personal growth, and to
reflect on the broader questions of human existence and morality.

SOCRATES

In the context of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the Socratic Method would involve
asking questions to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and the themes of the
story. For example, Socrates might ask questions about the prodigal son's motivations
for leaving home, his experiences in the world, and his eventual return. He might also
ask questions about the father's character and his motives for forgiving the prodigal son.

Socrates might use the Socratic Method to challenge the assumptions that people have
about the parable and to encourage them to think more deeply about the themes of
forgiveness, redemption, and the nature of reality. By asking questions and encouraging
critical thinking, the Socratic Method can be used to gain a deeper understanding of the
Parable of the Prodigal Son and to reflect on its broader implications for morality and
human existence.

1. What motivates the prodigal son to leave home and squander his inheritance?
Socrates: The prodigal son was motivated by a desire for pleasure and a lack of
 wisdom. He saw his inheritance as an opportunity to satisfy his immediate
desires, but he soon realized that his choices were misguided and led to his
downfall.
2. What is the father's reaction when the prodigal son returns home? Why does he
forgive him? Socrates: The father's reaction is one of unconditional love and
forgiveness. He forgives the prodigal son because he recognizes that the son has
returned home with a newfound understanding of his mistakes and a desire for
redemption. The father's love and forgiveness serve as an example of the divine
nature of love and compassion.
3. How does the elder brother feel about the father's forgiveness of the prodigal
son? Why is he upset? Socrates: The elder brother is upset because he has a
narrow understanding of justice. He believes that the prodigal son should be
punished for his mistakes, but he fails to recognize the importance of
forgiveness and redemption. The elder brother's perspective represents a limited
understanding of the world and the nature of the divine.
4. What does the parable say about the nature of forgiveness and redemption?
Socrates: The parable demonstrates the transformative power of forgiveness and
redemption. The prodigal son's journey home and his eventual reunion with the
father symbolize the power of love and compassion to transform individuals and
bring them back to their true nature.
5. What does the parable say about the relationship between the divine and human
beings? Socrates: The parable demonstrates the loving and compassionate nature
of the divine, which transcends human limitations and judgments. It also shows
that the divine is always present and available to those who seek it, regardless of
their mistakes or past actions. The relationship between the divine and human
beings is one of unconditional love and compassion.

PLATÃO

Plato's philosophy can be used to analyze the Parable of the Prodigal Son by examining
its themes and ideas in light of Plato's key concepts and beliefs. Here are some ways
that Plato's philosophy can be applied to this story:

1. Forms and Ideas: Plato believed that there was a realm of Forms or Ideas that
exist beyond the physical world. In the parable, the father's unconditional love
and compassion can be seen as a representation of the Form of Love, which is a
timeless, eternal, and unchanging reality. The prodigal son's journey from
ignorance to wisdom represents a journey from the physical world to the realm
of Forms.
2. The Tripartite Soul: Plato believed that the human soul was divided into three
parts: the rational, spirited, and appetitive. The prodigal son's initial focus on
satisfying his appetites and desires represents the domination of the appetitive
part of the soul. However, his journey home and his recognition of the error of
his ways can be seen as the victory of the rational part of the soul.
3. The Analogy of the Cave: Plato's famous allegory of the cave can be used to
interpret the parable. Just as the prisoners in the cave are initially blind to the
 reality of the world, the prodigal son is initially blind to the true nature of
himself and the world. However, just as the prisoner who leaves the cave and
sees the light represents a journey from ignorance to wisdom, the prodigal son's
journey home represents a journey from ignorance to wisdom.
4. The Importance of Philosophia: Plato believed that the highest form of human
excellence was the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, which he called
Philosophia. The prodigal son's journey home and his recognition of his
mistakes can be seen as an expression of his desire for Philosophia.

By using these concepts and ideas from Plato's philosophy, we can gain a deeper
understanding of the Parable of the Prodigal Son and its message about the nature of
love, redemption, and the human journey.

Plato might view the elder brother, the servants of the father, and the fatted calf in the
Parable of the Prodigal Son as symbols of different aspects of human nature and the
human condition. Here's how he might interpret each one:

1. The Elder Brother: The elder brother represents the intellectual or rational part
of the soul that has been following the rules and doing what is right, but has not
experienced the full range of human emotions and desires. Plato might see the
elder brother's initial reluctance to forgive his younger brother as a manifestation
of his pride and lack of understanding of the nature of true love.
2. The Servants of the Father: The servants of the father represent the common
people who follow the rules and live according to convention, but do not have a
deep understanding of the truth. They might be seen as symbolic of the masses
who are content with their lot in life and do not seek the wisdom that comes
from the pursuit of Philosophia.
3. The Fatted Calf: The fatted calf represents the feast that is prepared for the
prodigal son when he returns home, symbolizing the joy and celebration that
comes with redemption and the recognition of the truth. It can also be seen as a
symbol of the feast that is prepared for all who return to the truth after a period
of ignorance and error.

Plato might view these elements of the parable as metaphors for the different aspects of
the human soul and the human journey, and as illustrations of the importance of
wisdom, compassion, and love in the pursuit of a meaningful life.

ARISTOTELES

Aristotle's philosophy is centered around the idea of finding a mean between two
extremes. He believed that virtue is found in a middle ground between excess and
deficiency. Aristotle also believed in the concept of causality and that everything has a
purpose or "telos."
In terms of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Aristotle might see the prodigal son as an
example of someone who has strayed from the mean or the middle path of virtue. The
prodigal son's excess of spending and wastefulness would be seen as a deficiency in
self-control, while his decision to return home and ask for forgiveness would be seen as
a step towards finding the mean of temperance.

Aristotle might also see the elder brother as lacking in compassion and empathy, as he is
unwilling to forgive his younger brother. This deficiency in the elder brother's character
would be seen as a failure to find the mean of kindness and generosity.

Overall, Aristotle's philosophy would view the characters in the parable as examples of
the importance of finding the mean in all aspects of one's life and character in order to
live a virtuous and fulfilling life.

Applying Aristotle's dialectics to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, one might engage in a
dialogue to explore different perspectives on the characters and events in the parable.
Here's an example of how that might look:

1. The Prodigal Son: Is the prodigal son a foolish or a wise character? Is his
behavior a manifestation of weakness or a reflection of his desire for freedom
and experience?
2. The Elder Brother: Is the elder brother's initial anger and resentment towards his
younger brother justified or is it a manifestation of his pride and lack of
empathy?
3. The Father: Is the father's decision to forgive and welcome his younger son an
act of weakness or a reflection of his compassion and wisdom?

By considering these questions and examining different perspectives on the characters

and events in the parable, one can engage in a dialectical process that might lead to a
deeper understanding of the parable's themes and lessons.

Aristotle's dialectics could also be applied to exploring the concepts of forgiveness,

compassion, and the role of material wealth in our lives, among others, as depicted in
the parable.

Plato would likely view the turning point as a moment of realization for the Prodigal
Son, where he recognizes the error of his ways and the superiority of the eternal,
unchanging Forms over physical, transitory things. This recognition could lead the
Prodigal Son to a deeper understanding of the Forms and a desire for the Good.

Aristotle, on the other hand, would likely view the turning point as the Prodigal Son's
recognition of the importance of finding a mean or middle ground between excess and
deficiency. Aristotle would see the Prodigal Son's excesses as a deficiency in self-
control and his decision to return home and ask for forgiveness as a step towards finding
the mean of temperance.

In either case, both Plato and Aristotle would likely view the turning point as a crucial
moment of growth and self-discovery for the Prodigal Son and a demonstration of the
importance of finding wisdom and virtue.