Overview
This lecture explores Plato's concept of the self, focusing on his notion of the soul as the true essence of a human, and explains the soul's tripartite structure and its role in achieving balance and self-knowledge.
Plato’s Concept of the Self
- Plato does not fully articulate the modern concept of the self.
- Ancient Greek philosophers posed questions about human nature and individual identity.
- Plato equates the self with the soul, considering humans as beings capable of reason and action.
- The soul, for Plato, is distinct from and superior to the body.
- The body is material and destructible; the soul is immaterial, indestructible, and eternal.
- The soul temporarily resides in the body and departs upon death.
Structure of the Soul
- Plato divides the soul into three parts: rational, spiritual, and appetitive.
- The rational soul (in the head) enables thinking, reflection, and cognition.
- The spiritual soul (in the chest) is responsible for emotions like joy, anger, and sadness.
- The appetitive soul (in the abdomen) drives physical desires such as hunger and thirst.
- The rational soul is superior and must guide the other two parts for harmony.
The Chariot Allegory
- Plato uses the allegory of a charioteer with two horses to illustrate the soul’s structure.
- The charioteer (rational soul) must control a noble white horse (spirit) and a stubborn dark horse (desire).
- The white horse (spirit) seeks honor and ascension; the dark horse (desire) pulls toward base impulses.
- The rational soul must harmonize both horses to reach the realm of truth and achieve self-mastery.
- Harmony among soul parts leads to a well-balanced personality.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Soul — The immaterial, eternal essence of a person, constituting their true self in Plato’s philosophy.
- Rational Soul — The thinking, reasoning part of the soul, located in the head.
- Spiritual Soul — The emotional part of the soul, located in the chest.
- Appetitive Soul — The part of the soul responsible for physical desires, located in the abdomen.
- Chariot Allegory — Plato's metaphor depicting the rational soul controlling spirit and desire to achieve harmony.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Plato's allegory of the chariot in the dialogue "Phaedrus."
- Reflect on how the three parts of the soul apply to personal experiences or behavior.