Dee reviewed Plato's psychology by T. M. Robinson
Review of "Plato's psychology" on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I originally took out this book for a loan in late DECEMBER, however, I had somewhat avoided it (unintentionally?) up until now. Robinson provides a fair elaboration on Plato’s (as well as Socrates’ and to a lesser degree, Plutarch’s) views on the relationship between the soul and the body, in addition to both things in their individual (and collected) sense. All in all some of the themes and ideas expressed are similar to that of the traditional “زاهد” who retreats/isolates from the world and bodily pleasures in order to purify the soul. Furthermore, the idea of the soul being a counter person that the body has the potential to “infect”and taint was well-worded as later on the body is described to be a vessel/channel of sorts for pleasure and desire, the very same pleasure and desire that is initially referred to as “bodily” then becomes of a psychic class instead …
I originally took out this book for a loan in late DECEMBER, however, I had somewhat avoided it (unintentionally?) up until now. Robinson provides a fair elaboration on Plato’s (as well as Socrates’ and to a lesser degree, Plutarch’s) views on the relationship between the soul and the body, in addition to both things in their individual (and collected) sense. All in all some of the themes and ideas expressed are similar to that of the traditional “زاهد” who retreats/isolates from the world and bodily pleasures in order to purify the soul. Furthermore, the idea of the soul being a counter person that the body has the potential to “infect”and taint was well-worded as later on the body is described to be a vessel/channel of sorts for pleasure and desire, the very same pleasure and desire that is initially referred to as “bodily” then becomes of a psychic class instead (however the notion of these two things bringing impurity upon the soul still remains somewhat consistent…)
There were many areas of contradictory views but they only really supplied a path to entertain several views regarding the soul/body relation, the soul itself, the body itself, the world soul, etc. which made this out to be an interesting read… overall Robinson linked Plato’s works in a rather organised way?
Enjoyed, worth the read.