Vice In Plato's The Republic

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In The Republic, Socrates defines vicious as conflict within the parts of the soul. Vice is the opposite of virtue. He first ascertains that there are several virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. These virtues are furthermore broken down into 3 parts of the soul with two very distinct parts: the rational/reason part and spirited/temper part. The third being a combination of all parts as well as appetite/desires (Plato, The Republic Book IV 259-269). Vice is when rebellion takes part within the parts of the soul. When one part of the soul meddles in places they shouldn't, and the parts that shouldn't be in control are trying to take over (Plato, The Republic Book IV 271-282). When reason takes over desires or when temper meddles

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