Plato's analogy of the soul is unambiguous. Discuss

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Another implication is seen in the analogy of the soul and the polis. Firstly, the assumption that the analogy is legitimate to his argument[1]. The analogy used[2] can only supplement his argument if it is to be the premise. Since it is not said to be so by Plato, its use seems unnatural as Socrates is made to argue of justice in the individual before the polis[3]. For instance, there could be two billboards – one with smaller text and one with a much larger text. Assuming that the two billboards are identical, you would only consider looking at the one of bigger text, using the smaller billboard as a reference. Contrastingly, Plato uses the smaller scale concept of individual justice to explain justice in the polis. The assumption made by Plato is that the billboards, or the soul and polis, are congruent. This whimsical assumption in itself discredits the concept of the just state by presenting it as a flawed theory and response. Moreover, critics argue that Plato already mentions what is needed in an individual for justice (see section 2.2), and therefore two books regarding the comparison between the tripartite soul and society was unnecessary. Regarding the above example, Plato had read the smaller billboard for us, therefore we should be able to deduce what is written on the bigger one (we should know what a just state entails).

In response, it can be claimed that Plato had an a priori reason – when a position is known independent of experience and is just known[4] – to believe that they were the same, citing his use of the analogy to be valid. Furthermore, the analogy itself allows for Plato to explain his concept in detail to satisfy the sceptical Sophists, such as Thrasymachus, who want reasons for everything.  Yet for me this does not acquit Plato of this fault as if he aimed to provide a vindicated definition of the concept, it would appear important to outline all necessary points to avoid any possible refutation. Hence, I can still assert that Plato's analogy of the soul remains unambiguous. 

Answered by Francess O. Philosophy tutor

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