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How does Plato describe the three parts of the soul?
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Plato
Plato, marble portrait bust copied from an original of the 4th century bce; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.
In his dialogue The Republic, the Greek philosopher Plato describes the human soul as being composed of three distinct parts, each with its own specific function and object of desire:123
- Reason (Intellect): This part seeks truth and the good of the entire individual. It is responsible for understanding the Form of the Good and governs the soul to ensure harmony.14
- Spirit (Emotion): This part is preoccupied with honor, competitive values, and noble impulses.14
- Appetite (Desire): This part is associated with basic physical needs and desires, such as food, drink, and sex.14
Plato argues that justice in the individual is a state of psychic harmony achieved when each of these three parts performs its proper role under the governance of reason. When the soul is ordered in this way, the individual is free from internal conflict and is motivated to act justly. In the Phaedrus, Plato further illustrates this tripartite nature using the metaphor of a charioteer (reason) guiding two horses: one noble (spirit) and one base (appetite).143