Happiness and stability are two things that every individual seeks in this world. Plato is one philosopher who was never afraid to talk about human nature and the quest for happiness. According to Plato, "reason" is the only thing individuals need to reach happiness and stability. Plato defines the three tripartite sides of the soul, i.e., appetitive, spirited, and rational (Murphy 113). The three are the perfect secret combination for happiness, justice, and democracy. This essay is an analysis of Plato’s theory of human nature and the application of the beast analogy in analyzing how Calvin understands the secret to happiness.
Plato challenged the issue of human nature in a big way. In his theory of human nature, Plato argues that reason …show more content…
First, all the three elements of the soul must work together in unison to create justice. This automatically means that an individual with the three elements struggling for control will be an unjust person. Each of the three elements has defining characteristics that qualify them to serve as an allegory for the human soul. For instance, the appetitive soul desires physical comforts, money, and pleasure. On the other hand, the spirited soul is fuelled by honor and victory but is prone to indignant anger. The rational element serves as a source of wisdom and judgment to guide the other elements. In fact, the three souls are associated with body organs: the rational is to the mind, the spirited to the heart, and the appetitive to the belly and genitals. The rational mind maintains the balance between irrational divisions by asserting wisdom and judgment (Murphy 113). Plato also uses the magnificent beast analogy to express his concern that it is the passions and appetites of the populace that dictates what passes for wisdom. The beats analogy is a criticism of the societal democratic orientations where the powerful or rather beasts who are without “reason” get to control justice …show more content…
Appetitive souls believe that the secret to happiness is self-interest and ignorance of all other aspects of life. Plato would have
Tony2
described Calvin’s happiness as a path leading to self-destruction, something that we can see happening to Calvin at the end. Appetitive souls are ignorant of any dangers, and they do so little to take caution because the rational part of their soul is overridden. This kind of individuals tends to learn less from their mistakes. For instance, Calvin tells Hobbes that he does not want to learn anything from experience meaning that he can willingly do it again.
Calvin’s argument and understanding for happiness make sense to some extent. It is impossible to lead a happy life without the material things. In as long as the rational mind and the spirit might go, material things are a necessity to have a fulfilled life. It is with the material things that stability can be achieved in
Plato challenged the issue of human nature in a big way. In his theory of human nature, Plato argues that reason …show more content…
First, all the three elements of the soul must work together in unison to create justice. This automatically means that an individual with the three elements struggling for control will be an unjust person. Each of the three elements has defining characteristics that qualify them to serve as an allegory for the human soul. For instance, the appetitive soul desires physical comforts, money, and pleasure. On the other hand, the spirited soul is fuelled by honor and victory but is prone to indignant anger. The rational element serves as a source of wisdom and judgment to guide the other elements. In fact, the three souls are associated with body organs: the rational is to the mind, the spirited to the heart, and the appetitive to the belly and genitals. The rational mind maintains the balance between irrational divisions by asserting wisdom and judgment (Murphy 113). Plato also uses the magnificent beast analogy to express his concern that it is the passions and appetites of the populace that dictates what passes for wisdom. The beats analogy is a criticism of the societal democratic orientations where the powerful or rather beasts who are without “reason” get to control justice …show more content…
Appetitive souls believe that the secret to happiness is self-interest and ignorance of all other aspects of life. Plato would have
Tony2
described Calvin’s happiness as a path leading to self-destruction, something that we can see happening to Calvin at the end. Appetitive souls are ignorant of any dangers, and they do so little to take caution because the rational part of their soul is overridden. This kind of individuals tends to learn less from their mistakes. For instance, Calvin tells Hobbes that he does not want to learn anything from experience meaning that he can willingly do it again.
Calvin’s argument and understanding for happiness make sense to some extent. It is impossible to lead a happy life without the material things. In as long as the rational mind and the spirit might go, material things are a necessity to have a fulfilled life. It is with the material things that stability can be achieved in