Sanifsan
Well-Known Member
reason, sprite and appetite... It is important to see that the three parts of the soul (or mind in greek) each have their characteristic desires and pleasures (580d), they can come into conflict (440e), and promote their own interests. The [FONT=Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua]rational [/FONT]part loves wisdom and learning; it is responsible for extending our knowledge and takes pleasure in this (436a, 580d, 581b). It's domain is not just the pursuit of "scientific" knowledge, but also practical deliberation. The [FONT=Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua]spirited [/FONT]part loves honor and winning; it tends towards aggression and competition, but when educated or trained allies itself with reason as aspiration for what is right. (441a, 441e, 442b, 581b) The [FONT=Book Antiqua,Book Antiqua]appetitive [/FONT]part loves food, drink, sex, "and other things which follow from these", as well as money as the means to these (436a, 437b, 437d, 439d, 580d-e). The appetitive part may be capable of means-end reasoning (e.g., it pursues money as a means to its other ends), but it does not deliberate about what is right or good.
The virtues of the soul or mind are parallel to the virtues of the city.(441c-444a) For example, a wise soul is one which reason rules and makes sound decisions for the advantage of the soul as a whole. For example your mind tells you when to stop eating by using reason (442c) A just soul is one in which each of the parts performs its proper function (443d-e); injustice in the soul is "a kind of civil war between the parts (444b).
The virtues of the soul or mind are parallel to the virtues of the city.(441c-444a) For example, a wise soul is one which reason rules and makes sound decisions for the advantage of the soul as a whole. For example your mind tells you when to stop eating by using reason (442c) A just soul is one in which each of the parts performs its proper function (443d-e); injustice in the soul is "a kind of civil war between the parts (444b).