more from Plato

Single Idea 5962

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 2. Psuche]

Full Idea

Plato regards the substance of soul not as number but as being ordered by number.

Gist of Idea

Plato says the soul is ordered by number

Source

report of Plato (Timaeus [c.349 BCE]) by Plutarch - 68: Generation of the soul in 'Timaeus' 1023

Book Reference

Plutarch: 'Selected Essays and Dialogues', ed/tr. Russell,Donald [OUP 1993], p.223


A Reaction

This remark points towards Plato's esoteric doctrines, which are some sort of mathematical metaphysics. The idea that order and numbers are in some way connected is one of the most powerful in western civilization, with undeniable appeal.