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Plato - The Republic (book 4)
(PHIL 1301) Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 251)
Texas A&M University
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The Republic (bk. 4): 439a - 445b
Because humans very often have diametric urges, Socrates says our souls are split into 2 parts: a rational part and an irrational part - similar to a left brain vs. right brain idea (which has been proven to be false).
Agree Your spirit is much more likely to be unfaltering if in an unjust situation than a just situation.
Your spirit is a third element in your soul that serves as a right-hand man to your rational element.
The rational element rules over the other 2, ensuring that the appetitive part doesn’t
Socrates talks of a man involved in embezzlement, and says that no one would consider him more guilty than those different to him. He also says that this man could be trusted to keep promises and would likely not be involved in other (listed) crimes. ???
Socrates, in summation, is saying that “justice” is when man perfectly harmonizes the 3 parts of his soul and allocates them properly to doing their job. Justice is on the inside, not the outside. Only after achieving this harmony may one resort to action. Any action that preserves and encourages the inner harmony is tagged as Just and anything that destroys the harmony is unjust.
One part of the soul working against the other 2 constitutes injustice. By this logic, an idiot is Unjust. Heavy disagree Even if one is left unpunished for being unjust, your soul’s constitution is hurt which
● disorder and wandering ● injustice, licentiousness, cowardice, ignorance ● the whole of vice ○ Injustice damages our soul - what material benefit could be worth that damage? Virtue is a sort of health, a fine or good state of the soul ● just practices lead to the possession of virtue It is better to be just than unjust, even if one is not punished for one’s injustice ● Your soul’s constitution will be hurt by your injustice
Plato - The Republic (book 4)
Course: (PHIL 1301) Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 251)
University: Texas A&M University
