A estrutura da alma e a formação do caráter do tirano na República de Platão

Abstract

This study aims at relate the structure of the soul and the formation or genesis of the tyrannical man’s character, demonstrating how the human soul is configured through education, as explained in Plato's Republic. This reading enables an in-depth discussion about the citizen and the manifestation of his character in the political context, especially from the intrinsic qualities of the soul. In this path, the study seeks to think, from the education perspective, to what extent it interferes in the formation process of this citizen, which makes him virtuous or vicious. In other words, what mechanisms and strategies influence the human being's formative process which, in turn, manifests itself, for example, according to a tyrannical character. In Book IX of the Republic, Socrates establishes a relationship between the men’s education and their character in the political function, especially when it comes to the tyrannical character. To this end, the philosopher carefully analyzes how the education of some men who are only focused on their personal interests takes place and what motivates this type of character. It is therefore a question of investigating what influences education and becomes determinant for character to manifest itself as virtuous or vicious according to Plato, i.e. what mechanisms and instruments exist in the educational process that enable a citizen to manifest himself as from a certain character in the polis.