Abstract

In this work, I analyze Plato's Phaedrus, concentrating on the three speeches that make up the bulk of the dialogue. I argue that all three speeches are concerned with the nature of the soul and with its proper activities and ends. I examine the psychological, moral and metaphysical dimensions of soul and I argue that, within the context of the dialogue, Socrates develops his position to counter the more narrow views advanced by the sophist, Lysias. I show that an examination of the dialogue with questions about the nature of soul in mind reveals that a fundamental unity of theme pervades the dialogue, a unity which belies the dialogue's apparent lack of a consistent theme. Approaching the dialogue with questions about the nature of soul in mind also provides the opportunity to examine questions that are of perennial philosophical interest. Some of the questions which are addressed in this work include the nature and proper relationship between reason and desire, between reason and inspiration, between body and mind and between self-interest and obligation to others