Socrates states that there are three parts that make up one's soul: Appetite, Spirit, and Reason. The Appetite is made up of our basic animal desires, such as eating and drinking, the ultimate goal is to move toward satisfaction. The Spirit is made up of emotions and passions like love, courage, and rage. The Spirit keeps us engaged in projects, as well as keeping the Appetite in check. Thirdly, the Reason portion of the soul separates us from nature, the rational aspect of humans. The Reason looks out for the person as a whole. Socrates also states that a person with an unjust person is a person with unbalanced soul, that they are at war with themselves. Too much appetite for example, makes a person impulsive, and possibly unhealthy, which in turn leads to poor choices.
Sigmund Freud also proposed a theory very similar to Socrates. Freud proposed three parts of the psychic apparatus, the Id, Ego, and Superego. The Id makes up basic drives, particularly sexual desires. The Ego seeks long term satisfaction rather than instant pleasures that will later bring on pain. The Superego is like the conscience, keeping the Ego and Id in check according to morals and social structures. It is also easy too see how a person who acts unjustly could potentially be giving in too much to their Id, seeking momentary satisfaction rather than long term safety.
It is easy to see how similar the two beliefs are, even though they are from radically different time periods. I believe that Socrates leaves little to be desired when it comes to the soul. The three branches can clearly be seen in most everyone. I also strongly believe in Freud's theory, though he does focus strongly on sexual desires. A person who acts unjustly usually gives into their desires, without looking at consequences of said actions, or long term side effects. A just person looks at the consequences of their actions before acting.
Thomas,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your addition of Sigmund Freud's theory. This is also what came to my mind in Philosophy class, as for I took Psychology last semester and we learned about Freud's theory. The point of where a person will do just or unjust can be highly focused towards in Freud's theory of Id, or sexual desires. I remember learning in Psychology that the Id is similar to the devil on a person's shoulder while the Ego is the angel. A person will, in fact, do what is best for them if the desire is strong enough meaning it could be unjust, even for just a short period of time.
I also did make that connection between Freud and Socrates. I think the main difference between the both is that Socrates thinks of reason as the part that keeps both spirit and appetite in balance. On the other hand, Freud puts the appetite, or id, as the authorative part that controls the foundation of the human soul. At least that's what I picked up on last semester.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was reading the passage, Freud also came to mind. It makes me question Socrates though. I do not think that the topic of justice is controlled in the human soul. I agree more with Freud that the tripartite quality of the mind allows humans to act in just ways.
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