Plato, Case study, human nature
Plato's position on the human person cannot be presented into a single package as there are many allusions to his stand on human nature. Plato's position in regards to human nature is that the human person is a dualistic being. This means that people are made up of two different kinds of soul, body and reality. In fact, Plato was regarded as one of the major dualists in the Western History. In his dialogues, Plato did not offer a clear definition of soul. Interpreting the words by Plato, I can say the soul is eternal and immortal.
On the other hand, the body belongs to the physical world. The principal task of the soul is pursuing knowledge that consists of apprehension of the ideas. Plato sees that the body is responsible for distracting the soul from the task. The body acts as a constant hindrance to the soul. It is a prison for the soul. This calls for soul purification from the body that only happens after death. It is only after death that the soul can be free from the body's distractions and cares. This clearly reveals the fact that Plato was a dualist.
[...] A moral obligation of humans according to Plato should be expressed by rationality. This is quite true since a man should live by asking what is beneficial to him or the main contributing factors to happiness. Morality is the main factor that promotes the agent's happiness. The best explanation for this is an awesome feeling one gets after they do a good deed. It is clear that Plato has a good understanding of behavior that can be regarded as morally acceptable, but wanted to know what was rational for humans to do. [...]
[...] On the other hand, the body belongs to the physical world. The principal task of the soul is pursuing knowledge that consists of apprehension of the ideas. Plato sees that the body is responsible for distracting the soul from the task. The body acts as a constant hindrance to the soul. It is a prison for the soul. This calls for soul purification from the body that only happens after death. It is only after death that the soul can be free from the body's distractions and cares. [...]
[...] To become who we are truly are, we must live in an ideal society. The purpose of the human being is to lead a just and happy life. Plato terms this as a life guided by the fully developed rational part of the soul. Logically, I support of Plato's philosophical ideas, justice is a part of human virtue and acts as a bond that joins society and man together. Plato & Fowler, H. N. (2006). Plato: 7. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard Univ. Press [u.a . Plato & Lamb, W. R. M. [...]
[...] This clearly reveals the fact that Plato was a dualist. In Plato's theory of human nature, the human person is regarded as a natural social being. Each person is born with various biological needs such as food and shelter. These needs are fulfilled when each individual specializes in some occupation and hence leading to exchange of services and goods with other individuals. This means that the human person congregate in groups naturally. Plato claims that unless people congregate in groups, there are no chances of survival. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
