The Tripartite Theory Of The Soul - 1196 Words

Daryl Claude Medina Professor Morrissey PHIL 3105 April 8, 2016 The Tripartite Theory of the Soul Plato’s theory of tripartite soul focuses on the nature of human psyche. In the Republic, Plato (using the character â€Å"Socrates† as his mouthpiece) introduces this theory and claims that the soul contains three constituent elements: the appetitive, the rational, and the spirited parts. These three separate elements of the soul are organized in a hierarchy with reason being the superior of the two and spirit being the most inferior (Republic 439d and 441a-b). In a just soul, Plato claims, the three elements of the soul harmonize with each other and follow the hierarchical order. However, in an unjust soul, the three elements oppose one another. These three psychological elements and its inherent hierarchy are central to Plato’s understanding of a just soul, or rather, justice. In order to distinguish the three separate elements of the human psyche, Socrates presents a Principle of Opposites. This principle claims that, â€Å"the same thing will not be willing to do or undergo opposites in the same part of itself, in relation to the same thing, at the same time† (436b). Basically, the Principle of Opposites suggests that it is impossible for an individual to have opposing desires. But, Plato acknowledges the fact that people often have conflicting desir es at a given time. So, in order to resolve this problem, he first divides the human psyche into two separate parts of reason andShow MoreRelatedThe And Theory Of The Tripartite Soul1765 Words   |  8 Pageswritings in the Western World apart from the Judeo-Christian Bible. As I dug into the life of Plato, which can be an endless search with overwhelming amount of information, his lasting ideas can be summed up in his allegory of the cave and theory of the tripartite soul. Plato was born in around 424 BCE, from an Athenian family that can be traced back to come notable figures in ancient Greece. Even given his influential and well documented writings, many scholars still do not know much about Plato’sRead MoreThe s Theory Of The Tripartite Soul And Sigmund Freud s Psychodynamic Theory1317 Words   |  6 Pagesis the soul that guides the personal self, but it is also the non-material aspect of a human being that is immortal. Although, the soul’s existence is in question, there is evidence that validates that the soul is real. Such evidence includes Plato’s theory of the tripartite soul and Sigmund Freud’s psychodynamic theory, which reevaluates Plato’s theory. Both theories address that the soul’s existence is the personality of a human being. On the other hand, many critics claim that the soul does notRead MoreComparison Between Plato And Plato732 Words   |  3 Pagescarefully analyzes art on how it would affect a society if it were not made well, causing disorder. Plato also holds this tripartite theory of the soul, which simply focuses on how the soul acts towards life. This theory can be well applied to how then someone will view things but in an aesthetic area. The tripartite soul is essentially viewed as a triangle divided into three. The soul therefore is divided into three: the appetite, the spirited or thumos, and the mind. These three sections all hold theirRead MorePlatos Tripartite Soul - Discussion and Evaluation1238 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Tripartite Soul which describes the human soul as having three parts corresponding to the three classes of society in a just city. Individual justice consists in maintaining these three parts in the correct power relationships, which reason ruling, spirit aiding reason, and appetite obeying. In ‘A Study of Human Nature’ Plato tries to explain his Tripartite theory by ways of a parable, a vivid illustration which describes the soul as having three parts (tripartite): ‘I divided each soul intoRead MoreThe Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde768 Words   |  3 PagesPsychological Freud’s belief was that mental health and psychological wellness requires a harmonious relationship between the different parts of the mind and a lack of harmony can lead to neurosis. Plato invented the original tripartite and Freud expanded on it in 1923. The tripartite is divided into the sections: The Superego, the Ego, and the Id. The Superego is basically the conscience of our mind. The Ego is consciousness created by the combination of the Id and Superego. The Id is having thoughtsRead MorePlato s Tripartite Theory Of The Mind Essay1756 Words   |  8 Pagesexistence, the soul was a living, non-material entity that was created before the person and would continue on after the person was no more, unlike contemporary concepts of the soul, this concept was not based on religion or religious views as it didn’t exist then (Stevenson, Haberman, Matthews Wright, 2013). Plato believed that one must endeavour to take care of their soul as it is eternal and more importan t than the body (Stevenson, Haberman, Matthews Wright, 2013). Plato’s tripartite theory of theRead MoreSocial And Political Thought1722 Words   |  7 Pagesequate government intervention and regulation with harsh restrictions that devitalize our personal freedom, however, according to Socrates; regulation is necessary in order to experience â€Å"genuine freedom†. In the Republic, Socrates discusses his tripartite regime in which promotes optimal justice and happiness for its citizens. However, if we fully accept Socrates’ republic, this does not necessarily mean we have to reject democracy entirely. This idea will be furthered explored throughout the entiretyRead More Aristotle and the Doctrine of the Mean Essay1436 Words   |  6 Pagesalso believed in the tripartite division of the soul. Each of these virtues can be linked to a characteristic of the tripartite division. Tripartite Division of the Soul Reason Spirit Desire Friendliness – Spirit Courage – Spirit Proper Pride – Desire What Aristotle’s Doctrine of the mean translates to, for the Platonic minded, is that Eudaimonia is achieved through the satisfying and balance of all three elements of the tripartite division of the soul. It sometimes becomesRead MoreEssay on Platonic Justice916 Words   |  4 Pagespeers. At the beginning of The Republic, Plato asks the fundamental question of what is justice? Looking to define the ideal state of justice, Plato reasons that he must first define justice in theory before he can use justice practically. Platonic Justice is defined as being a harmony between the tripartite soul in which reasons guide the spirit and appetite. Justice is said to be good in itself and good in its practical ends. It is educating desires, implementing the human faculty of reason. JusticeRead MorePsychology And The Human Soul998 Words   |  4 Pagesnoted forms in psychology such as; philosophical psychology, academic psychology and popular psychology. Philosophical psychology is the study of how psychology and the human soul are intertwined. Many believe that psychology has always contained components of philosophy, due to conflict of differentiating whether the soul is separate or connected from the body. The idea of human consciousness and memory allow the mind to explore beyond the abilities of the body, and create a relationship between