South African Society for Greek Philosophy and the HumanitiesBerges, S.2009-10-192009-10-192001Berges, S 2001, 'Plato, Nietzsche, and sublimation', Phronimon, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 22-33.1561-4018http://hdl.handle.net/2263/11491Appears in Phronimon, Volume 3 Number 1(2001)In this paper I aim to refute the claim that Plato and Nietzsche are at opposite poles regarding the treatment of the non-rational elements of the soul, and argue that, instead, they share a complex and psychologically rich view of the role of reason towards the appetites and the emotions. My argument makes use of the Freudian distinction between sublimation, i.e. the re-channelling of certain undesirable appetitive and emotional forces towards more beneficial ends, and repression. I show that both Plato and Nietzsche argue in favour of sublimation and against repression of the non-rational elements of the soul.12 PagesenSouth African Society for Greek Philosophy and the HumanitiesPlato -- Criticism and interpretationNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900 -- Criticism and interpretationSublimation (Psychology)Repression (Psychology)Emotions (Philosophy)Article