The soul in the Timaeus

Abstract

The soul plays a central role in the Timaeus' creation account. After the proem, dedicated to the question of the model used by the demiurge in the construction of the cosmos, the story of creation begins, through the postulation of divine goodness. It arises from the intention that everything be good and not «humble», «coarse» (phlauron), «as far as possible» (hôs malista). This is the cause (God and his goodness) assigned to creation.