The Value Of The Soul In Plato's Republic

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A Socratic dialogue reveals how tenable and untenable philosophy can be. Throughout Plato’s, Republic, this can be seen to be the undeniable truth, whereby the main character Socrates reveals the truth behind being just, and the qualities of a just soul through constant debate style conversations. The idea of self-control is a constant issue of discussion as he determines how complex the soul can be. Socrates argument on the soul determining the necessity of having a superior and inferior part to the soul, in order to become an overly righteous and just person.

In Republic Book IV, Plato introduces a new understanding of the human soul that remains “advantageous for each part and for the whole soul, which is the community of all three parts” (442c6-8). Thus we reach a point
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In order for Socrates to effectively argue for a tripartite soul, means to first acknowledge the existence of a soul divided into two factions, each faction somewhat reliant upon the other. Socrates emphasising the superior and inferior parts of the soul to be reliant on one another. Whereby, the ‘naturally better part’ comes to be known as the unified, rational part. Whilst the ‘worse’ part is exposed as the irrational appetitive part. Ultimately deeming the term, ‘self-control’ to the person who can successfully control the appetitive part and not be overpowered by it. A common question posed of Socrates is what deems the ‘rational’ part of the soul to be naturally better? This question is best answered through the natural human instinct of

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