In Book II of the Republic of Plato, Glaucon and Adeimantus classify goods into three categories. They then ask Socrates to prove that justice is of the highest class. That justice is desirable for its consequence and its own sake emphasizing the latter point. In order to help answer this challenge, Plato divides the soul in three parts that correspond to the three social classes found in the perfect state. Plato argues that justice is the health of the soul so justice is desirable for itself. In this paper, I will analyze how Plato’s tripartite division of the soul help answered Glaucon and Adeimantus question.
According to Plato, each individual has three sources of motivation and the harmony of this three entities lead to a “just man”. …show more content…
It distinguishes what is true from what is false and makes wise decisions (Bloom 109). The spirited part aims for recognition and honor by others. It is the part of ambition and anger. Appetite on the other hand is concerned by desires such as money, sex, food and everything else. Plato supports his claim of the tripartite soul by explaining that sometimes individuals find themselves in conflict with two desires. For example, one can find himself thirsty and at the same time not drink (Bloom 118). This example shows the existence of two distinct part of the soul. The reason that stop us from drinking and the appetite that only goal is to quench its thirst. Plato also argues that the existence of a third part called spirit is evident. Often, we find ourselves mad at our desires, which means that appetite is different from spirit. These divisions of the soul match the classes of the just city. The “knowledge-loving part” or reason dominates in the guardian class. The spirit or “honor-loving part” is prominent among auxiliaries and the “money-loving part” or appetite is found among the producer class (Lorenz). According to Plato, “a man is just in the same way as a city.” (Bloom 121) Justice is when each part
According to Plato, each individual has three sources of motivation and the harmony of this three entities lead to a “just man”. …show more content…
It distinguishes what is true from what is false and makes wise decisions (Bloom 109). The spirited part aims for recognition and honor by others. It is the part of ambition and anger. Appetite on the other hand is concerned by desires such as money, sex, food and everything else. Plato supports his claim of the tripartite soul by explaining that sometimes individuals find themselves in conflict with two desires. For example, one can find himself thirsty and at the same time not drink (Bloom 118). This example shows the existence of two distinct part of the soul. The reason that stop us from drinking and the appetite that only goal is to quench its thirst. Plato also argues that the existence of a third part called spirit is evident. Often, we find ourselves mad at our desires, which means that appetite is different from spirit. These divisions of the soul match the classes of the just city. The “knowledge-loving part” or reason dominates in the guardian class. The spirit or “honor-loving part” is prominent among auxiliaries and the “money-loving part” or appetite is found among the producer class (Lorenz). According to Plato, “a man is just in the same way as a city.” (Bloom 121) Justice is when each part