Interior Integration for Catholics 171 Know Thyself, Love Thyself, Govern Thyself: Socrates and Plato Discuss Parts Work
Aug 4, 2025
Dr. Anthony T. Flood, a philosophy professor specializing in Thomistic love and self-governance, joins clinical psychologist Dr. Eric Goudin for an enlightening discussion. They explore Socrates' and Plato's insights on self-examination, the interplay of the soul's parts, and the five forms of governance that parallel aspects of personal identity. From understanding tyranny's impact on the soul to the virtues necessary for flourishing, the conversation weaves ancient wisdom with modern psychological insights, promoting a harmonious inner life.
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Greek Philosophy Shaped Early Church Thought
- Dr. Eric Goudin recounts how Greek philosophy shapes understanding of early Church fathers.
- He notes Plato and Aristotle grasped human nature deeply even without revelation.
Self-Control Reveals Inner Multiplicity
- Socrates frames self-control as evidence that the self is composite, not a simple unity.
- Recognizing internal parts (controller vs. controlled) enables deliberate governance of the soul.
Conflicts Reveal The Soul's Structure
- Plato uses observable interior conflicts to map soul-parts and their functions.
- Understanding those parts lets us prescribe how they should be properly ordered toward the good life.
