The Method of Hypothesis and the Nature of Soul in Plato's <I>Phaedo</I>

John Palmer

doi:10.1017/9781108946254

Series: Elements in Ancient Philosophy

The Method of Hypothesis and the Nature of Soul in Plato's Phaedo

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 January 2021

John Palmer

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John Palmer: Affiliation:
University of Florida

Summary

This study of Plato's Phaedo promotes better understanding of its arguments for the soul's immortality by showing how Plato intended them, not as proofs, but as properly dialectical arguments functioning in accordance with the method of hypothesis. Unlike the argument for the soul's immortality in the Phaedrus, which does seem intended as a proof, the Phaedo arguments are proceeding toward the first principles that could serve as the basis for a proof - the most important being an account of the soul's own essential nature. This study attends to the substantial progress the Phaedo makes toward such an account. It also considers Socrates' epistemic situation in the dialogue and the problem of whether his confidence in the face of death is misplaced if his arguments have not been proofs before considering how the concluding myth draws together several of the dialogue's main themes.

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Plato Phaedo soul immortality dialectic

Type: Element
Information: Series: Elements in Ancient Philosophy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108946254 [Opens in a new window]

Online ISBN: 9781108946254

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication: 11 February 2021

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The Method of Hypothesis and the Nature of Soul in Plato's Phaedo

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