The Defining Features of Mind-Body Dualism in the Writings of Plato

Abstract

The article looks at a number of concepts of soul -sorne of them not easily reconcilable with others- in the earlier dialogues of Plato, and then moves on to discuss the well-known doctrine of tripartition in the Republic and Timaeus, arguing that it constitutes in many ways significant progress over Plato's earlier thinking, especially as found in the Phaedo. Mention is also made of the little-discussed question of the nature and significance of gender differentiation of soul in the Timaeus. As for the famous passage,again in the Tímaeus, conceming the composition of soul. it is argued that this may well have been an attempt by Plato to grapple with the thorny question of psycho-physical dualism.