Thumos and rationality in Plato's Republic. Issue 2 (3rd April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tarnopolsky,
• Is Part Of: Global discourse. Volume 5:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2015-04-03
• Subjects: Plato -- Thumos -- rationality -- aesthetics -- courage -- war -- mortality; International relations -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Civilization, Modern -- 21st century -- Periodicals; 320.01
• DOI: 10.1080/23269995.2014.980048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2326-9995

Abstract

Abstract : This article examines Plato's critique of, and revisions to, Socratic rationality via a close examination of Socrates' teaching about the early education of the guardians in the Republic . I argue that Plato's move to a new more Platonic Socrates in Books 2 through 10 of the Republic reflects his revisions to the particular style of rationality exhibited in the arguments of his teacher, Socrates, in Book 1. Plato's discussion of Thumos, the middle part of the soul, shows that he moves to an imagistic and aesthetic notion of rationality to correct the problems with the combative and analytical style practiced by Socrates. At the same time, Plato retains the key elements of his teacher's philosophy, and this includes their shared notion that any outlook on life that orients itself away from the fact of human mortality is irrational on a foundational level.