On the Origins of the Theory of Ideas: A Historical-Philosophical Path

This contribution starts from a question of whether it is possible to think of a theory of Ideas before Plato. Answering this query is possible so long as we remember to move with great caution by referring to a series of steps that constitute only a network of clues, even if, in my opinion, it is quite solid. We will therefore trace a path that goes back to the origins of the theory of Ideas and is divided into two parts: 1. in the first part we will analyze some Aristotelian and Platonic passages that seem to verify the circulation of a theory of Ideas that is different and anterior to the Platonic one; 2. in the second part we will focus on the Third Man argument, which seems to bear solid witness in favor of being possible to talk about a debate around the Ideas that existed prior to the Platonic elaboration, so much so that it developed a critical argument featured in several elaborations.