Christoph Horn

Project description: In the broad and intense debate on Platonic psychology, I defend the thesis that Plato not only differentiates between the psychic functions—such as e.g. thinking, striving, and desiring—but he additionally introduces a steering faculty that can influence them based on good or bad, adequate or inadequate, rational or irrational considerations. My basic evidence for this is a well-known passage from Republic IX (588d-589a) which I call the 'allegory of the inner man'. Plato presents us in the context of this passage a person-like figure that can direct and re-direct the functions of the soul. In my project, I want to write a small monograph which collects a number of evidences in favor of this reading.

 

Christoph Horn is Professor and Director of Practical Philosophy and Ancient Philosophy at the University of Bonn. His work focuses on ancient philosophy and contemporary practical philosophy. He is particularly interested in the writings of Plato, Aristotle, and Kant. His systematic interest lies mainly in contemporary moral philosophy, political philosophy, and the theory of action. In his monographs, he has dealt with Plotinus, Augustine, and the ancient art of living.