Proclus on the Tripartite Soul
In: The International Journal of the Platonic TraditionSearch for other papers by Lloyd P. Gerson in
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Abstract
The seventh essay of Proclus’ Commentary on Plato’s Republic is devoted to Plato’s account of the tripartite soul and its virtues. Drawing on Plato’s description of the work of creation by the Demiurge and the younger gods in Timaeus, Proclus argues that the lower parts of the soul are images of the highest part, and that the essence of the human being is found only in the rational part of the soul. The other two parts are merely images of the rational part. In this paper, I explore Proclus’ account of how mortal psychical functioning in the spirited and appetitive parts of the human soul are supposed to image rationality. Further, I consider how the essence of a human being, shown to be the subject of calculative or discursive reasoning, is supposed by Proclus to be related to intellect.
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Proclus on the Tripartite Soul
In: The International Journal of the Platonic TraditionSearch for other papers by Lloyd P. Gerson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
The seventh essay of Proclus’ Commentary on Plato’s Republic is devoted to Plato’s account of the tripartite soul and its virtues. Drawing on Plato’s description of the work of creation by the Demiurge and the younger gods in Timaeus, Proclus argues that the lower parts of the soul are images of the highest part, and that the essence of the human being is found only in the rational part of the soul. The other two parts are merely images of the rational part. In this paper, I explore Proclus’ account of how mortal psychical functioning in the spirited and appetitive parts of the human soul are supposed to image rationality. Further, I consider how the essence of a human being, shown to be the subject of calculative or discursive reasoning, is supposed by Proclus to be related to intellect.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 86 | 86 | 34 |
| Full Text Views | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 8 | 8 | 0 |
