W3: Plato's Three Parts of the Soul

Question 1

Plato’s three elements of the psyche are:

Answer 1

1. The appetites
2. The spirited, or hot-blooded part
3. The mind

Question 2

Explain the three elements of the psyche

Appetite:

Answer 2

Our desires for various pleasures.

Question 3

Explain the three elements of the psyche

Spiritedness:

Answer 3

The part that gets angry when it perceives an injustice being done. The part that loves to face and overcome challenges, adversity, loves winning, challenge, and honor.

Question 4

Explain the three elements of the psyche

The mind:

Answer 4

The part that thinks, analyzes, looks ahead, rationally weighs options. This is the part that guides spiritedness and reigns in appetite.

Question 5

Does Plato believe that these three elements of the psyche should be in balance with each other?

Answer 5

No, he believes that the mind should be in charge; should make the decisions to give each horse its rein and when to hold it back.