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Article

Dialectic in Early Proclus and the Unity of the Soul

by
Georgios Iliopoulos
Department of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
Philosophies 2025, 10(4), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10040074
Submission received: 31 December 2024 / Revised: 21 May 2025 / Accepted: 2 June 2025 / Published: 24 June 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ancient and Medieval Theories of Soul)

Abstract

In Proclus’ Commentary on the First Alcibiades, we encounter a conception of dialectic that can be interpreted in terms of the philosopher’s reception of Socratic and Platonic ideas while at the same time being compatible with the relevant Aristotelian conception. We will try to show that this is the case to the extent that dialectic is ascribed a propaedeutic function, aimed both at promoting the search for truth and at practicing and developing persuasive skills that could prove beneficial in theoretical disputes. On this basis, it can become clear that dialectic is related to Proclus’ conception of the soul because it necessarily integrates specific characteristics of partial philosophical disciplines, while, on the other hand, it requires the active participation of the soul as a whole. This means concretely that through the practice of dialectic, the inner differentiation of the soul emerges as a necessary dimension of its coherent unity.
Keywords: Proclus; dialectic; soul; unity; Plato; Aristotle; Neoplatonism Proclus; dialectic; soul; unity; Plato; Aristotle; Neoplatonism

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MDPI and ACS Style

Iliopoulos, G. Dialectic in Early Proclus and the Unity of the Soul. Philosophies 2025, 10, 74. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10040074

AMA Style

Iliopoulos G. Dialectic in Early Proclus and the Unity of the Soul. Philosophies. 2025; 10(4):74. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10040074

Chicago/Turabian Style

Iliopoulos, Georgios. 2025. "Dialectic in Early Proclus and the Unity of the Soul" Philosophies 10, no. 4: 74. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10040074

APA Style

Iliopoulos, G. (2025). Dialectic in Early Proclus and the Unity of the Soul. Philosophies, 10(4), 74. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies10040074

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