In
a previous post, I discussed some of Plato's views regarding the virtues and true
happiness. However, there is a deeper reason why Plato believes we must be
moral in order to be truly happy. Being moral, having good character, is both necessary and sufficient for having a soul that is in harmony.
In the Republic, Plato has Socrates argue that the human soul is made up of three different elements, or parts. The appetitive element is the part of the soul which seeks pleasure via food, drink, and sex. It also loves money, because with money one can obtain food, drink, and sex. The spirited element of the soul seeks honor. This part of the soul has to do with victory, perhaps on the battlefield or the athletic field, and high repute. The aim should not be honor of any kind, but rather honor that is well-deserved. Finally, the rational element of the soul seeks truth. It is the part of the soul that we learn with, the part of us which seeks knowledge.
For Plato, it is crucial that the rational element rule over appetite and spirit. His view is not that pleasure or honor are bad, but rather that to be truly happy, to have a soul that is in genuine harmony, the rational element must rule the soul. The virtue of this part of the soul is wisdom, and the wise person will also be courageous, self-controlled, and just. She will know when to pursue pleasure and honor, and when not to do so. She will know the appropriate ways in which to get pleasure and honor, and will not sacrifice moral goodness for the sake of either of these.
How is this relevant to us? Even though philosophers and others debate not only the nature of the soul, but whether or not it even exists, there is still something of value here for our lives. (I think the best arguments support the existence of the soul, but I won't pursue those here.) It seems clear that Plato is right. If we let our appetites for food, drink, and sex--or our desire for honor--go unchecked, we end up with problems, both physical and psychological. Even if those problems aren't drastic or severe, one of the key lessons of the Republic is that in our pursuit of the other goods of life, we shouldn't sacrifice moral goodness. The search for fame, fortune, and pleasure is not worth the sacrifice of one's character, because when we sacrifice our character we sacrifice our ability to be truly and deeply happy.
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