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[Eric Christian Berg]

On 26 Jun 2001, Nick Wedig wrote:

> On a side note: the whole idea of Atlantis comes from one of Plato's
> dialogues (the Timaeus, IIRC) where it's introduced exactly the same
> as all his allegorical stories.  Now, he introduces these alleogrical
> stories all the time in the dialogues, but why is it that people stick
> to Atlantis and not claim that, say, the allegory of the cave is real?
> (I'd say cliomancy, except the belief in Atlantis seems to predate
> it).

I'd always assumed it was just because of the detail given. He bothers to
give measurements and really detailed descriptions that don't really add
anything to its use as an allegory. It is like giving the dimensions of
the cave in the Allegory of the Cave, it seems so unnecessary and beside
the point that the assumption seems to be that he wouldn't have bothered
unless there was some real reference. Or at least that is my
understanding. I haven't read the passages in question in a loooong while.

-- 
Eric Christian Berg

"Oh, a little nonsense now and then
is cherished by the wisest men."

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