The Political Soul: Plato on Thumos, Spirited Motivation, and the City

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By Josh Wilburn *11

Published Feb. 18, 2022

Reflecting on the intersectional nature of Plato’s psychology and political philosophy, with special attention to the spirited portion of the soul (the thumos) Wilburn provides a roadmap for the inescapability of considering the spirit and soul in discussions of social and political philosophy. The Political Soul (Oxford University Press) offers fresh conclusions to age-old questions, including how to educate citizen properly and virtue and how to maintain unity and stability in political communities.

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PAW's July/August 2025 issue cover, featuring a photo of people dressed in orange and black, marching in the P-rade, and the headline: Reunions, Back in Orange & Black.
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On the cover: Wilton Virgo ’00 and his classmates celebrate during the P-rade.