Chapter 10 - Plato's Theory on Soul
Opinions and theories of Socrates and Plato are similar in respect of everything discussed by them, as all the recordings of Socrates are by Plato himself. Plato could not differentiate himself from his teacher philosopher Socrates’ thinking and expositions. Hence what is stated to be for Socrates will equally applicable to Plato and vice versa.
Plato held that every human being includes three souls like three classes of citizen within the state, each of them contributing in its own way to the successful operation of the whole person.
Three classes of citizen are Rulers, Soldiers and General Public.
1.Rulers are responsible for making decisions according to which the nation will be governed. Rulers must have the virtue of wisdom, the capacity to comprehend reality and to make impartial judgments.
2.Soldiers to defend the nations against external and internal enemies. Soldiers need the virtue of courage, the willingness to carry out their orders in the face of danger without regard for personal risk.
3.General Public to follow its leaders instead of their private interests in order to exhibit the virtue of moderation, the subordination of personal desires to a higher purpose.
Similarly, the three souls as expounded by Plato are:
1.The Rational Soul meaning mind or intellect. This is the beacon light to make every one to lead a just life, eschewing all wrongs and making the rational decisions to make human life proper in all respects. Akin to Rulers.
2.The spiritual soul meaning will or volition. Life of human is determined by the intellect which the soul adheres courageously. Akin to Soldiers.
3.The appetitive soul meaning emotion or desire. By strictly following self control guided by the rational pursuits, most of one’s human wants and emotions must be deferred. Akin to General Public.
In the Phaedrus, Plato presented this theory even more graphically, comparing the rational soul to a charioteer whose vehicle is drawn by two horses, one powerful but unruly (appetitive soul - desire) and the other disciplined and obedient (spiritual soul - will).
On Plato's view, then, a human being is properly said to be just when the three souls perform their proper functions in harmony with each other, working in consonance for the good of the person as a whole.
In short, the three souls can be classified as under:
1.Rational Soul (Thinking) - Wisdom
2.Spirited Soul (Willing) - Courage
3.Appetitive Soul (Feeling) - Moderation
In spite of all explanations about soul, its properties, its functions etc. one is left with a feeling of uncertainties as if in a cave chained as a slave.
Let us discuss in our next issue, the famous Plato’s allegory of Cave as expounded by him in the famous treatise ‘The Republic – Book – vii.’
