Cardinal Virtue In Plato's Republic

Platos republic is a study in the question; 'What is justice and how is it achieved". Plato recounts a discussion between Socrates and other notable philosophers in which they attempt to answer this question and discover what exactly constitutes justice in an idividual. After the peers of Socrates present many hypotheses - which he finds all to be flawed- he attempts a solution to the question with the following comparison. Justice is achieved in man in the same way it is within the state; it is present when everyone minds their own business. He breaks the state and man into 3 components that each possess qualities called cardinal virtues; Wisdom, Courage, Self-Discipline. Justice, the fourth and last cardinal virtue is contingent upon …show more content…
The cardinal virtues; wisdom, courage, self-discipline and justice are the commonality between the state and soul which socrates points out we must maintain in both to achieve the object of discussion; justice. The question to raise is how do we know that these are the "virtues above all virtues" and that the particular combination of the first three virtues will allow for justice in the state and soul. Plato draws each of these virtues from the divisions of the soul when in a state of excellence. The divisions of the soul are; the mind, the spirit, and the body. Wisdom he derives from the mind, for when the function of the mind (reason) performs its job successfully one would consider it wise. Courage he derives from spirit, for when spirit performs its job successfully, one would be courageous. Self- discipline he derives from the body, for when one can resist the body’s desire, he is said to be disciplined. It is when each division performs its excellence/virtue that the last virtue, justice, exists. Plato derived these four virtues by analysing the qualities male citizens need to contribute positively to the community Given that these qualities are the result of highest excellence in the three parts of the soul, it suffices to say they are the most important virtues to have in order for justice to exist in the soul and the state. These …show more content…
The divisions of the state and soul when functioning in excellence and not interfering with one another exemplify the cardinal virtues. It is Reason and Philosopher Rulers that allow for the first virtue, Wisdom. The spirit and the Auxiliaries allow for the second virtue, Courage. Desire and the Working Class allow for the third virtue, Self- Discipline. In unity, the proper function of these divisions and their resulting virtues ultimately reveal the object of the Republic’s searching;