The Soul and Plato's Eye
In book 6 of the Republic, Plato explains that our reason/Ruler/soul is like the eye that has the ability to see. Yet we need light to see and this Light comes from the Sun, the One. Without Light, the eye sees only the darkness of opinion and does all monsterous deeds rather than seeing the clarity of knowledge and practicing virtue.
I think this resolves my earlier issue of struggling with an aloof reason that seemed mismatched with what we know of human beings. Reason by itself is lost and requires illumination.
Is this a right understanding of Plato?
Plontinus says it's the Soul that illuminates the animal nature, rather than the Soul being illuminated by the Light. Plato says the soul can be good or wicked, Plotinus says the soul is never wicked.
Is this a correct difference between the two? Is this really something I should be hung up on?
I think this resolves my earlier issue of struggling with an aloof reason that seemed mismatched with what we know of human beings. Reason by itself is lost and requires illumination.
Is this a right understanding of Plato?
Plontinus says it's the Soul that illuminates the animal nature, rather than the Soul being illuminated by the Light. Plato says the soul can be good or wicked, Plotinus says the soul is never wicked.
Is this a correct difference between the two? Is this really something I should be hung up on?
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