Beyond the Tripartite Soul: The Dynamic Psychology of theRepublic

Abstract

Few philosophic devices have proved as influential or enduring as the tripartition of the soul in Plato's Republic. For all its virtues, however, we are mistaken to believe that the tripartite model is sufficient to convey, or that it was meant to convey, all the elements of the dialogue's psychological teaching. What is needed is an interpretation that takes fuller account of the soul's forces, and not just its "parts" (which are metaphorical anyway). This article outlines the basic elements of such an interpretation. After considering the virtues and limits of the tripartite model and of the structural perspective from it arises, the article examines eros and spiritedness, the soul's chief and most politically consequential forces, both in themselves and in their (surprising) relation to one another.

Between Eros and Will to Power: Rousseau and “The Desire to Extend Our Being”

“…The one that most highlights the triggering role of obstacles or frustration appears at Dialogues (1990), 9. Regarding Plato's account of the birth of thymos, see Cooper 2001;Newell 2000, 3-4 et passim;and Pangle 1976. like to say, "seems natural" enough, but that would be to settle an important question without first asking it.) But that self-consciousness should ignite infinite passion where before there had been only contentment with one's level of being is baffling-so much so, in fact, that we might question our premise and wonder whether the longing for infinity was not in fact already present in amour de soi, either in latency or in some live but benign way.…”