The Inclusive Nature of Being: Sophist 248e–249b

This paper considers the contentious passage (248e–249d) of the Sophist where the Stranger criticizes the Giants, who associate being with bodies, and the Gods, who identify it with the forms, ultimately providing a third position. There are two prevailing interpretations of this section : “Reading A” has the Stranger argue that being encompasses not only the forms but also other entities, while “Reading B” has the Stranger contend that being, namely, the forms, moves. My strategy is to accept aspects of both interpretations and present a fresh reading by closely examining a passage often underemphasized in the debate (249a4–b3).