The Soul

In book VIII of The Republic, Plato insinuates that the five types of souls are most likely to digress into lesser souls, or stay the way they already are. Plato is saying that there is very little positive mobility in the caste system of the soul. In The Confessions, St. Augustine differs in that opinion. He says that the soul can positively change, and he goes on to describe his own transition from the worst polarity of the souls, to the best. In this paper, I will explain why I think that St. Augustine was correct, and the soul can change for the better.

Before talking about the stages of digression in the souls, I should explain the five souls, as Plato describes them. The best soul out of the five is the Aristocratic soul. An example of the Aristocratic soul is the philosopher. The aristocratic soul is ruled by reason, with soul second in charge, and the desires third. The desires never play a role in the decision making process of the aristocratic soul. Second in the chain is the timocratic soul. The timocratic soul often feels superior to others, but more often than not, lacks in wisdom. The timocratic soul is ruled by spirit. Spirit, and what the person feels is right, makes the decisions. Reas

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” “I had no wish to enjoy what I tried to get by theft; all my enjoyment was in the theft itself and in the sin. The fifth type of soul is the tyrannical soul. He never mentions a process by which the soul/city becomes better, only worse.

In book VIII, Plato tells us his opinion on the five souls, through a conversation between Socrates and Glaucon. ” (559 d Line 6 – 559 e Line2)

After a brief characterization of democracy, Socrates speaks about its metamorphosis into tyranny. She tells Augustine to let God help him and support him. The most essential characteristic of democracy, is its Achilles heal. Plato alludes that once we have reached this soul, it is near impossible to move upward again. She says; “ He will receive you and make you well. 1 Lines 1-4) In book VI, Augustine tells us of his time in Milan. Augustine talks of Victorinus, and how he gave up his livelihood, to stay true to the word of God. Most of us have democratic souls, and we are more likely to slip into the last type of soul. Like the oligarchic soul, spirit and reason are both second in charge to the love of freedom.

Approximate Word count = 1847
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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