The Timaeus of Plato

INTROD UCTION. 3 7
and orders it, wherewith it forms a harmonious whole, a perfect
sphere, a rational divine and everlasting being. Next within this
universe arise other divine beings, shining with fire and in their
appointed orbits circling, which measure the flight of time and
make light in the world. Finally, the creator commits to these
gods, who are the work of his hands, the creation of all living
things that are mortal for whom :
they frame material bodies and
quicken them with the immortal essence which they receive from
the creator.
All this is pure poetry, on which Plato has lavished all the
richness of imagery and splendour of language at his command.
But beneath the veil of poetry lies a depth of philosophical
meaning which we must do what in us lies to bring to light.
And there is not a single detail in the allegory which it will
be safe to neglect. For Plato has his imagination, even at its
wildest flight, perfectly under control the :
dithyrambs of the
Timaeus are as severely logical as the plain prose of the Parmenides.
Most of the details of this myth are considered in the notes as
they arise; but there are one or two of its chief features which
must be examined here.
36. The central figure in what may be called Plato's cos- How is the
mological epic is the o^/uoupyos, or Artificer of the universe. It to^^im.
is evidently of the first importance to determine whether Plato derstood?
intends this part of his story to be taken literally; and if not, how
his language is to be interpreted.
The opinions which have been propounded on this subject
may fairly be arranged under three heads.
According to the first view the S^/xtovpyo? is a personal God, (0
is he a
external to the universe and actually prior to the ideas : to GocT^exthis
appertains one form of the opinion that the ideas are ' the temal to
e .^ , the unithoughts
of God.'
verse and
,
There is but one passage in all Plato's works which can give P".
r to
the slightest apparent colour to the theory that the ideas are
in any sense created or caused by God. This is in Repttblic
597 B D, where God is described as the