The dichotomy myth and reason revisited from the perspective of Geoffrey E. R. Lloyd. A critical assessment

Abstract

This article discusses the ideas defended by the well-known classical historian Geoffrey E. R. Lloyd in regard to the dichotomy mythos and logos. We do so in three steps: firstly, we present briefly the differences that Lloyd sees between these two types of speeches; secondly, Lloyd’s case for dismantling any strong form of dichotomy is reviewed; thirdly, we attempt a critical approach to Lloyd’s ideas trying to show that there is a veiled epistemological ambiguity in some of his contentions. The study method use is, as in all humanities, the critical reading and discussion of the primary sources (Lloyd’s work). We conclude that Lloyd’s general approach, insomuch as it urges us to prosecute a via media between naïve form of realisms and strong cultural (etnographic) contextualisms, appears to be a sound strategy, yet ¬from our standpoint, such loable programme is debunked by the specific strategies Lloyd introduces to account for it.