Burnyeat's Theaetetus is a remarkable book, destined to become a classic in its field. In the lucidity, penetration, and rigor of its analysis of the philosophical positions with which Plato experiments in this dialogue and in its power to connect these positions with present-day metaphysical and epistemological theories it has no superior. If I were using a Platonic dialogue to introduce students both to Plato's thought and to contemporary philosophical views with which it may be illuminatingly compared and contrasted, the availability of this book would persuade me to use the Theaetetus for that purpose. Burnyeat says that this Platonic text remains an exemplary model for us to emulate today. Agreeing, I would add that Burnyeat's treatment of it is an exemplary model for future writers of philosophical introductions to Plato. -- Gregory Vlastos.
Myles Burnyeat, the Lawrence Professor of Ancient Philosophy at Cambridge, has revised Levett's translation to catch the charm and wit of the original in modern English, and has written a magnificent introduction and commentary of 250 pages that is lucid, rigorous, fair and un-put-downable. --Philip Howard, The Times (London)
A masterly contribution to the understanding of the subject in a work of altogether exceptional intelligence. --Sir Hugh Lloyd-Jones, Christ Church, Oxford
Burnyeat's introduction to the Theaetetus is easily the best available treatment of the dialogue; it is clear, stimulating, sympathetic but not uncritical, full of novel insights. Students at all levels, including professional philosophers, cannot fail to learn from it, to enjoy it. A real gem. --Gail Fine, Cornell University
