Plato's Notion Of The Soul Analysis

In this essay, I will present Plato’s notions of the soul in the dialogue Phaedrus, in comparison to his notion of the soul in the Republic. His conceptions in each are similar on the grounds that he accepts the human soul as tripartite, with respects to the same parts that the soul is made up of. However, they differ in terms of the distinct analogies Plato uses to show how the three parts of the soul function individually, and together, as one unit.
Plato asserts that the human soul is composite and tripartite as it consists of rational, spirited and appetitive parts. He explains these parts in depth through allegory of a chariot and two horses, in the Phaedrus. In this allegory, the rational part of the soul is represented by the charioteer …show more content…
However, both dialogues differ since Plato presents two distinct metaphors for the soul and its elements. In the Republic, Plato uses the city as a metaphor to help Socrates and his friends understand the soul through exploring how justice works in a city. Plato outlines the three function of the city, which are similarly the same three parts of the soul, in both dialogues. The rational part of the soul in the Republic is represented by what Plato refers to as the complete guardians. He maintains that because they are made of gold, they are the most honorable in the city. Hence they are the rulers and ultimate decision makers. He adds that all those who have been tested since childhood and have remained pure since then, become complete guardians. That being said, guardians are considered the most fit to rule the city, for they are able to distinguish the good from the bad. Being able to identify the good, allows all rulers to pursue and follow what is good for the city. Thus, the guardians do their best to bring honour into the city, as doing so benefits them as well. Moreover, this is why the rulers of the city are the most sensible and honourable in the city …show more content…
They are similar because the rational part of the soul can be understood through the actions and characteristics of the charioteer and the complete guardian. The spirited part can be understood through the honourable white horse and soldiers, while the black horse and workers is characterized by the appetitive part of the soul. That being said, Plato does a magnificent job explaining how the soul is tripartite in both dialogues. In this essay, I have also added my own critical opinion as to why Plato chose these analogies to represent the tripartite and composite