The Philosopher's New Clothes The Theaetetus, the Academy, and Philosophy’s Turn against Fashion

This book takes a new approach to the question, "Is the philosopher to be seen as universal human being or as eccentric?". Through a reading of the Theaetetus, Pappas first considers how we identify philosophers – how do they appear, in particular how do they dress? The book moves to modern philosophical treatments of fashion, and of "anti-fashion". He argues that aspects of the fashion/anti-fashion debate apply to antiquity, indeed that nudity at the gymnasia was an anti-fashion. Thus anti-fashion provides a way of viewing ancient philosophy’s orientation toward a social world in which, for all its true existence elsewhere, philosophy also has to live.

Introduction What philosophers doPhilosophy for everyoneThe philosopher as eccentricPlato on the normal philosopherSocratic legaciesHow the philosopher appears Part I. Socrates in the Theaetetus Chapter 1. Entering the Theaetetus Plato’s AcademyThe Academy in Plato’s TheaetetusThe frame of the TheaetetusEnter Theaetetus Socrates as midwifeNo place for philosophy Chapter 2. Being a philosopher teaching philosophy The cost of entering the AcademyUnwritten teachingsThe shoemakerThe CyrenaicsPigs and dogheadsSchool as institutionConclusion Chapter 3. Philosophy’s first citizen Wrestling and civilizationWhere the wrestling happensTwo myths of philosophy’s beginning (archê)Wonder and the rainbowIris the terasSocrates the philosopherA new myth of philosophy’s archê Philosopher as headmasterThe philosophical gentlemanBeyond the Theaetetus Part II. Philosophy Regarding Fashion Chapter 4. Fashion in philosophy Fashion thinkingThe emperor’s new clothesPhilosophy of fashion todayImitation according to the traditionBeau Brummell, beyond imitatingThe foreigner Chapter 5. Anti-fashion Alternative to fashionThe tradition of anti-fashionAnti-fashion todayThe suitDenim jeansBody artBlackBlack and the body Chapter 6. Fashion in antiquity The threat of anachronism. Ancient fashion?Diversity and contingency in dressChange in dressJustification for change in dressPlato’s Republic“Better” Part III. The Philosopher’s New Clothes Chapter 7. There is no outfit like Greek nudity Nudity in modern EuropeNudity for non-GreeksRecent treatments of Greek nudityPausaniasInspection, sexual and otherwiseChaste nudityRitual nudityRitual nudity and athleticsCivic nudityTheatetus Chapter 8. You can tell a philosopher The Cynic display of withdrawalThe limits of philosophical costumePlatonic philosophical nudityPlatonic anti-fashionThoreauKierkegaard

Nickolas Pappas is Professor of Philosophy at the City College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York, USA