Socrates Parallel To The City Analysis

Socrates argues that parallel to the city he had created a just person is comprised of three parts. Justice in the individual, as in the city, involves the correct power relationship among parts, with each part occupying its appropriate role. rational part of the soul that lusts after truth, a spirited part of the soul that lusts after honor, and an appetitive part of the soul that lusts after everything else. In his extended metaphor the appetite is represented by the lower consuming class , the spirited honor-seeking class is represented by the auxiliaries, and lastly the truth seeking portion represented by the guarding class. Just relations between the three parts of the soul mirror just relations among the classes of society. In a just
person the rational part of the soul rules the other parts, with the spirited part acting as helper to keep the appetitive in line. While on unjust man is dominated by the appetites and spirit pursuing everything thing in sight food, drink, sex, fine material goods, and hordes of wealth. Socrates has now completely fulfilled his goal of identifing justice on both the political and individual levels, but unlike modern definitions where justice is seen as a set of actions Socrates says justice is all about the soul and its alinement, being aligned properly would result in being just. Socrates points out that since our just person is ruled by a love of truth, he will not be in the grips of lust, greed, or desire for honor. Because of this, Socrates claims, we can rest assured that he will never steal, betray friends or his city, commit adultery, disrespect his parents, violate an oath or agreement, neglect the gods, or commit any other acts commonly considered unjust. His strong love of truth weakens urges that might lead to vice.