Rather than joining in the festival of outrage in reaction this rather ill-considered tweet, here are a few possible answers to his question:
1. Plato systematically distinguished between knowledge and mere belief (Meno, Republic, Theaetetus).
1. Plato systematically distinguished between knowledge and mere belief (Meno, Republic, Theaetetus).
2. Plato stressed the role of mathematics in science, especially in astronomy (Republic) but also for atomic physics (Timaeus).
3. He argued for enfranchising women politically (admittedly, he didn't argue for their full equality).
3. He argued for enfranchising women politically (admittedly, he didn't argue for their full equality).
4. He pointed out problems with the divine command theory of ethics (Euthyphro).
5. He offered a conventionalist account of linguistic meaning (Cratylus; admittedly not clear whether he endorses the account).
5. He offered a conventionalist account of linguistic meaning (Cratylus; admittedly not clear whether he endorses the account).
6. He anticipated Aristotle in systematically critiquing sophistical arguments (Euthydemus).
7. Ironically, he was actually the first European thinker to thematize the very contrast Prof Dawkins mentions here: empiricist/materialist accounts vs antimaterialist accounts (Sophist).
7. Ironically, he was actually the first European thinker to thematize the very contrast Prof Dawkins mentions here: empiricist/materialist accounts vs antimaterialist accounts (Sophist).
