vice that avoids this and other such contradictions, and, on the other hand, helps illuminate the moral failings of contemporary social and political life?
Topic:
Writer’s Choice
Paper details:
In spelling out the city/soul analogy, Plato remarks in Bk IV of the Republic, that “the very
same kinds of things and conditions exist in each one of us and in the city” and that the virtues
of the city, including justice, are necessarily grounded in the virtues of its citizens. However,
according to Plato’s account only amongst the ruling class of philosopher kings does each part
of the soul operate according to its proper function, with reason ruling over the appetitive and
the spirited parts. This seems to contradict the notion that political justice, and thus
virtue/morality is grounded in individual justice. Does Plato offer a way of understanding the
relationship between political and psychological virtue/vice that avoids this and other such
contradictions, and, on the other hand, helps illuminate the moral failings of contemporary
social and political life?
same kinds of things and conditions exist in each one of us and in the city” and that the virtues
of the city, including justice, are necessarily grounded in the virtues of its citizens. However,
according to Plato’s account only amongst the ruling class of philosopher kings does each part
of the soul operate according to its proper function, with reason ruling over the appetitive and
the spirited parts. This seems to contradict the notion that political justice, and thus
virtue/morality is grounded in individual justice. Does Plato offer a way of understanding the
relationship between political and psychological virtue/vice that avoids this and other such
contradictions, and, on the other hand, helps illuminate the moral failings of contemporary
social and political life?
