Against those who accuse Plato of having claimed that liquids pass through the lungs (Quaestio convivalis 7.1, 697E-700B)

Abstract

In Quaestio convivalis 7.1, philosophy and medicine are intertwined. Nikias of Nikopolis, a doctor from the school of Erasistratus, accuses Plato in front of the grammarian Protogenes, Mestrus Florus and Plutarch himself of stating that fluids pass through the lungs and of not speaking about the glottis, but indicating a chest cavity that can distinguish the rational part of the soul from the irascible part. After a quotation from Homer, Plutarch, encouraged by Florus, takes the floor in a speech defending Plato. He highlights not only the role of the lungs, but also that of the stomach/ oesophagus, trachea and bladder. The Master’s lengthy defence, while rebuking Nicia’s arrogance, also suggests that the actions of creative nature are impenetrable.