Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
2019
Department
Philosophy
Abstract
I argue that Plato distinguishes between personal immortality and immortality of the soul. I begin by criticizing the consensus view that Plato identifies the person and the soul. I then turn to the issue of immortality. By considering passages from Symposiumand Timaeus, I make the case that Plato thinks that while the soul is immortal by nature, if a person is going to be immortal, they must become so. Finally, I argue that Plato has a psychological continuity approach to personal identity. Thus, for Plato, a person becomes immortal by avoiding reincarnation and securing for themselves psychological continuity forever.
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Reed, D. ( 2019) Platonic Personal Immortality. Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, 100, 812-836.doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/papq.12284
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/papq.12284
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