Plato's Republic Book IV: Soul and Body

Questions and Answers

The body is merely a shell for the soul. (correct)

The soul and body have equal importance in a person.

The soul controls the body entirely.

The body is a permanent entity, while the soul is transient.

Reason is secondary to passion.

Reason is irrelevant to achieving happiness.

Reason should dominate the senses. (correct)

Reason promotes a chaotic lifestyle.

The avoidance of extremes in behavior. (correct)

The pursuit of wealth and power.

The dominance of intellect over emotions.

A balance between love and hate.

The harmonious development of the whole self. Signup and view all the answers

The soul possesses the body, but is not controlled by it. Signup and view all the answers

Wisdom and virtue. Signup and view all the answers

A journey of self-improvement and knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

A balanced development of physical, economic, and social powers. Signup and view all the answers

He merges Greek philosophy with biblical truths. Signup and view all the answers

It tends to create a chaotic life. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The soul is the "giver of life to the body", permanent, changeless, and divine, whereas the body is changing, transitory, and perishable.
The self is "a soul using the body", implying the body is just a shell of the soul.
Life is a "continuous ascent towards the world of ideas", striving to free the soul from its imprisonment in the body.

The self consists of body and soul, mind and matter, sense and intellect, passions, and reason.
Reason is supreme and should govern all life's activities.
When reason rules over the senses, a human person tends to live a happy life, whereas dominance of the senses leads to a chaotic life.
Aristotle emphasizes reason, but also values the development of physical, economic, and social powers.
Human happiness comes from the harmonious development of the whole self.
Perfection and happiness come from wisdom (true knowledge) and virtue (doing what is best for you).
The theory of the Golden Mean advocates for moderation, avoiding extremes, and living in consonance with reason.

Combined Greek philosophy with Scriptural truths.
The soul possesses a body that does not control its own good, but rather serves the soul, proving its power.