Research Snapshots

Can you describe an area of your current research? What is the main idea or argument?

My current research is allocated under Ancient Philosophy, focusing on a problem of the soul according to Plato's account in his Phaedo.

The problem is specifically about whether the (Platonic) soul is mutable or immutable. As a being cannot be mutable and simultaneously immutable, it seemingly forces an either-or choice. However, in the Phaedo, Plato attempts to secure both.

On one hand, metaphysical immortality of the soul necessitates its immutability since an unchangeable being necessarily conserves its own being that grants immortality. While on the other hand, the advocation of the genuine philosopher’s life, in which the soul is the central object to be purified, implies its mutability because only a changeable being can be purified.

What a puzzle here?! Is Plato too ambitious or greedy? That is what I am trying to examine.

What drew you to this particular topic?

I personally posit that contemporary issues have their ancient roots. Therefore, reading Ancient Philosophy provokes reflection, leading me to examine how certain problems originally looked like. Amongst all, soul problems appear the most attractive as they always question the essence of being in one way or another.

This particular problem is not an exception either, resonating with my concern about my own being and its relationship with the-other. If the problem in Plato’s argument can be well harmonized, the immortal soul may be incarnated across beings. Then all ensouled beings, regardless of humans or many others, in themselves should have implied ethical significance, as a journey of purifying their embodied souls, deserving respectful treatment. Sounds like EDI, you may say? In a much broader sense, I would say yes.

However, Plato draws a roadblock here, shown as a problem of im-/mutability in his own argument. And I am hearing of the invitation...

Frankly speaking, there are some other motivations, but let me just stop here with this one.

What new perspective or idea are you hoping to bring to philosophy with your work?

My research necessitates a start-point from examining the essence of im-/mutability, including but not being restricted to non-/motion, non-/spatial-temporal, etc. I expect to make it to be a noticeable reference to whoever else interested in similar problems.

Besides that, I would likely suspend the idea of the soul-mind equivalence but archaeologically excavate the very original definition of the soul, the first principle of life. This may provoke intriguing debates about living and dead, life and death, and so on.

Moreover, my research aim is not to simply point out the problem in Plato’s argument and deny either his metaphysical construction or the ethical advocation. Instead, I attempt to harmonize this conflict and secure both. I would like to draw attention to the distinction between the soul and ensoulment on which an alternative interpretation could be developed and see you there.
 

March 2025