Where does myth belong?

pp. 205-218

in: Omid Tofighian, Myth and philosophy in Platonic dialogues, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016

Abstract

Tofighian summarizes his "mutual scaffolding" method and how he applies it to interpret the interdependent relationship between myth and philosophy in the Meno, Protagoras, Phaedo, Phaedrus, and the Atlantis myth. He reiterates the values of his approach by explaining the significance of addressing and harmonizing sections on (1) theme introduction, setting, and narrative; (2) myth analysis; (3) the philosophical arguments; (4) mutual scaffolding; (5) plot structure; and (6) character selection. Tofighian's interdisciplinary approach examines the opening scenes, mise-en-scène, narrative voice, literary and cultural themes, the introduction and structure of debates, and the characters who raise questions and create dilemmas. Tofighian asks the question: "Where does myth belong?" to provoke an interdisciplinary reading of myth in Plato and to develop an inclusive method for understanding different sacred narratives.