A city is divided into three parts, each part plays a role in creating a civilization that functions, adapts and advances. At the top of our political system we have politicians, and lawmakers, then we have those who guard the city and enforce the laws, then finally we have the common folk. This political pyramid has existed as long as there has been cities. In plato's republic, the protagonist Socrates Explains why this is. Although his lesson is true in the example of a literal city it can also be applied to the human soul. After book four was read from plato's republic, we as lovers of knowledge must ask ourselves, “What is the mixture in the soul and in the city that should be guarded against?”. To answer this question most effectively,
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We can define “wisdom” as Good Judgment of that is to be feared, and what should not. As bronze and iron souls it is ideal for our leaders, or gold souls, to know what we as craftsmen need to thrive. It is only through good judgment they will provide us with laws we need to stay on track, and at the same time not be oppressed. The definition of courage that Plato gives us is simplified as preserving the knowledge of what is to be feared. This is the strength of silver souls, or auxiliaries. If a soldier fears death over the fear of something will harm the city, in war they are not a valuable or reliable soldier. Although both wisdom and courage need to be found in higher amounts for the guardians and the auxiliaries, moderation is a blanket necessity for any member of any society. The simplified definition of moderation is “ the better part of oneself having mastery over the worst part”. If a farmer decided to take every other day off, and to only work as hard he wanted, his corn would dry up, his bean fields would flood with weeds and his soil would blow away to the wind. A meaningful placement of moderation, it is doing what is necessary to progress, and focusing on what you can do to help your brothers and your city, rather than pleasing yourself. At 430e this is rephrased simply as “mastery of certain kinds of pleasures and desires.” But what about justice? Socrates …show more content…
Just as a city has people of gold, silver, and bronze, a soul has elements that identify to the mastery of each virtue. A soul that is just must have “reason” to control the spirit. If we look at a family unit, a parent must possess the capacity to teach reason to their children. Otherwise there children will grow up to be reckless and spoiled. The spirit must be strong enough to control desire. A common example of this, is someone who wishes to lose weight in a healthy process. If there spirit brakes, there desires will overtake there reason, they will surely fail in there goal. Finally desire must be moderate enough provide reason for what is truly good. Socrates even gave us an example of this in Plato's republic in the description of a simple city versus a luxurious city. In conclusion the mixture that is to be feared in the soul is the same as the mixture to be feared in a city. This mixture is desire that runs your spirit, and spirit that suppresses
We can define “wisdom” as Good Judgment of that is to be feared, and what should not. As bronze and iron souls it is ideal for our leaders, or gold souls, to know what we as craftsmen need to thrive. It is only through good judgment they will provide us with laws we need to stay on track, and at the same time not be oppressed. The definition of courage that Plato gives us is simplified as preserving the knowledge of what is to be feared. This is the strength of silver souls, or auxiliaries. If a soldier fears death over the fear of something will harm the city, in war they are not a valuable or reliable soldier. Although both wisdom and courage need to be found in higher amounts for the guardians and the auxiliaries, moderation is a blanket necessity for any member of any society. The simplified definition of moderation is “ the better part of oneself having mastery over the worst part”. If a farmer decided to take every other day off, and to only work as hard he wanted, his corn would dry up, his bean fields would flood with weeds and his soil would blow away to the wind. A meaningful placement of moderation, it is doing what is necessary to progress, and focusing on what you can do to help your brothers and your city, rather than pleasing yourself. At 430e this is rephrased simply as “mastery of certain kinds of pleasures and desires.” But what about justice? Socrates …show more content…
Just as a city has people of gold, silver, and bronze, a soul has elements that identify to the mastery of each virtue. A soul that is just must have “reason” to control the spirit. If we look at a family unit, a parent must possess the capacity to teach reason to their children. Otherwise there children will grow up to be reckless and spoiled. The spirit must be strong enough to control desire. A common example of this, is someone who wishes to lose weight in a healthy process. If there spirit brakes, there desires will overtake there reason, they will surely fail in there goal. Finally desire must be moderate enough provide reason for what is truly good. Socrates even gave us an example of this in Plato's republic in the description of a simple city versus a luxurious city. In conclusion the mixture that is to be feared in the soul is the same as the mixture to be feared in a city. This mixture is desire that runs your spirit, and spirit that suppresses