The Lexicon Platonicum, a three-volume reference work published between 1834 and 1839, stands as the final major achievement in the career of Georg Anton Friedrich Ast. This extensive scholarly project represents the culmination of his life-long dedication to classical philology, translation, and the critical historical analysis of ancient Greek dialogues within German academic circles.
Academic Trajectory
Born in 1778 in Gotha, Ast pursued his higher education at the University of Jena. His professional career began in 1802 when he served as a privatdozent. By 1805, he secured a professorship in classical literature at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Landshut. When the institution relocated in 1826 to Munich, he moved with it, continuing his teaching and research duties until his death in 1841. During his residency in Munich, he gained recognition as a member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities and served as an aulic councillor.
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Ast is best known for his rigorous examination of the Platonic corpus. In his 1816 publication, Plato's Leben und Schriften, he applied critical scrutiny to the authenticity of the dialogues, distancing himself from traditional attributions. He discarded works such as the Meno, Euthyphro, and even The Laws, relying on internal evidence rather than established convention. He categorized the genuine dialogues into three distinct chronological series based on their dramatic, dialectical, or harmonious qualities. Between 1819 and 1832, he completed a comprehensive two-volume edition of Plato's works, accompanied by his own Latin translations and detailed commentaries.
Aesthetics and Historical Methodology
Beyond his classical studies, Ast produced significant works on aesthetics, including System der Kunstlehre in 1805 and Grundriß der Aesthetik in 1807. These writings synthesized ideas from philosophers such as Schelling, Kant, Lessing, and Schiller. His approach to the history of philosophy shifted the focus from mere chronicles of individual opinions to the broader development of reason. His methodological contributions, specifically his early work on the hermeneutic circle, proved influential for later thinkers like Schleiermacher. His philological interests were further documented in Grundlinien der Philologie, published in 1808.
Fast facts
- Born: 1778, Gotha
- Died: 1841, Munich
- Citizenship: Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
- Education: University of Jena
- Key Publication: Lexicon Platonicum (1834–1839)
- Professional Affiliation: Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities
Questions readers ask
What was Ast's contribution to Platonic studies?
He produced a two-volume edition of Plato's works and the comprehensive Lexicon Platonicum, while applying critical criteria to determine the authenticity of various dialogues.
Where did Ast spend his academic career?
He taught at the University of Jena, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Landshut, and finally the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
Achievements
- Held posts at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Fields: history of philosophy, classical philology and history
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