From the book
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volumes I–II
Joseph Joubert · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordPlastic here concerns shaping or molding.
- In JoubertThe defining passage contrasts geometrical forms suited to measurement with plastic forms suited to organized bodies.
- In this editionThe English translation keeps “plastic” and Joubert’s own explanatory “molding.” The Greek πλαστή remains in the manuscript; this article does not substitute an unsupported etymological derivation for the contextual gloss.
- A place to beginPlastic is expressly glossed by molding and bodily organization.
- English renderings
- plastic forms; molding forms
Meaning
Plastic here concerns shaping or molding. It does not name modern synthetic material.
Use in the book
The defining passage contrasts geometrical forms suited to measurement with plastic forms suited to organized bodies. Their work is to balance parts within and harmonize visible proportions without. An earlier criticism rejects the school’s assignment of particular souls to particular matters through substantial or plastic forms, preferring a general soul for matter in general. The two uses retain an interest in formative organization without proving assent to one inherited system.
Places to read
- I, p. 458, entry 1, ¶1Plastic is expressly glossed by molding and bodily organization.
- I, p. 443, entry 2, ¶1The forms of the school enter a critical contrast.
Translation in this edition
The English translation keeps “plastic” and Joubert’s own explanatory “molding.” The Greek πλαστή remains in the manuscript; this article does not substitute an unsupported etymological derivation for the contextual gloss.
Source note
Beaunier 1938, I, pp. 443, 458.