Septintasis Platono laiškas: exaiphnēs ir filosofuojančiojo laikas

ENIt is commonly accepted that the concept of space prevails over the concept of time in Plato's philosophy. Plato uses numerous visual metaphors and patterns representing the ontological background of reality. The transcendence, the realm of ideas, is described as a location situated "over heaven". Thus, the ideal reality itself is perceived as a location (hyperouranios topos). Consequently, to be an idea and to belong to the ideal reality means to belong to a certain place (or to be located). Conversely, in the Seventh Letter, a text which is not often taken into scholars' consideration, the author focuses on a certain usage of words. Next to the critical remarks on written philosophy, the letter defines the process of philosophical practice in terms of personal experience of time. The term exaiphnes, i. e. "suddenly", "unexpectedly", is a clue, which reveals i the concrete temporal circumstances that arc necessary in seeking the knowledge of truth. In Parmenides Plato confirms that exaiphnes does not exist in chronology, but is located in between (metaksu) the linear time. Ancient Greeks did have another term for time, katros, which indicates a "moment", "event", "instant", "chance", or "occasion". Although Plato docs not mention kairos in comparison to exaiphnes, a degree of their affinity can be traced. In some cases the philosopher chooses the strategy of palinodical rhetoric whereby two discourses occur one after the other. The second discourse denies the first, putting the speaker to the initial point. The tension that is sustained between them brings the thinker towards to the paradoxical knowledge of the ideal.