UTS 1.1 Phisolophical

• “Know thyself” is considered to be the cornerstone of Socrates’ philosophy though it is not originally his phrase. It is a motto inscribed on the frontispiece of the Temple of Delphi. This phrase means that we have to live according to our nature.
• Soul according to Socrates


  • Strives for wisdom and perfection
  • Reason is the soul’s tool to achieve wisdom and perfection
  • Quest for wisdom is inhibited by the imperfection of the physical realm
  • Reason enables the soul to free itself from the corrupting imperfection of the physical realm and achieve “communion with the unchanging”
• Realms according to Socrates

  • Changeable, transient, and imperfect (the physical realm)
  • Unchanging, eternal, immortal (ideal realm)
• Socrates explored the subject of immortality with his friends in the days following his trial and before his sentence of death was executed
• For Socrates

  Reality is dualistic, comprised of the physical realm and the ideal realm
• Socrates


  • Knowledge is inherent in an individual
  • Knowledge of oneself can be attained through the Socratic method (dialogue between the soul and itself, or between the student and teacher)
  • Focused the full power of reason on the human self: who we are, who we should be, and who we will become
  • Belief in the existence of an immortal soul that survives beyond the death of the body
  • Reality is dualistic, comprised of the physical realm and the ideal realm
• Socrates: 'The Soul is Immortal'
• Our bodies belong to the physical realm: they change, they’re imperfect, and they die. Our souls belong to the ideal realm: they are unchanging and immortal, surviving the death of the body. Although a close relationship exists between our souls and our bodies, they are radically different entities.
• Plato included in his work the learnings and ideas shared to him by his teacher Socrates. He wrote several literatures that tackle politics, human nature, and established the idea of virtue and intelligence. Plato is historically known to be the father of the academy, a place where learning and sharing of knowledge happens, that later became one of the pillars
• Plato is historically known to be the father of the academy, a place where learning and sharing of knowledge happens, that later became one of the pillars and basis of what schools and education is structured in the present
• Plato believed in the division of a person’s body and soul which forms the person as a whole
• The Spirited soul can be attributed to the courageous part of a person, the one who wants to do something or to right the wrongs that they observe. It is very competitive and active, driving one to expect positive results and winning
• Plato followed his teacher, Socrates, and the idea of knowing thyself


  Plato generally followed his teacher, Socrates, and the idea of knowing thyself
• According to Plato, a person who is a follower of truth and wisdom will not be tempted by vices and will always be just
• Plato's idea of the appetitive soul is the part of the person that is driven by desire and need to satisfy oneself. This satisfaction involves physical needs, pleasures, and desires
• Plato's notable works include the allegory of the cave, the apology, and his work on a perfect government and societal system – “The Republic” – where he said that the world can only be led by a Philosopher king, a person who is virtuous as well as intelligent
• Plato presented the idea that one’s soul is divided into 3 different parts that have different views leading to different behaviors
• The Rational soul is the part that thinks and plans for the future. It decides what to do, when to do it, and the possible results one could have depending on their actions
• Plato’s 3 Parts of The Soul

  • Appetitive Soul
  • Spirited Soul
  • Rational Soul