Socrates believes excellence can only be attained through balance of the body and the mind. It is impossible for one to reach fulfillment simply by refining one of these qualities. In describing this delicate balance Socrates states, “In Gymnastics, as in music, a wholesome simplicity is prescribed. There will be in the city little disease and few lawsuits. But care must be taken to hold the balance between music and gymnastics: excess in the former leads to effeminacy, and excess in the later to harshness.” (Republic, 119) The training of the mind and the body are seen as equally important in Socrates’ eyes. He says, “… Gymnastics is as much a part of the souls education as music is, and the noblest natures, at once brave and wise, require a harmonious blend of the two.” (Republic, 119).
Socrates likens man’s excellence to the picture of a city. He does this in order to help those around him understand the concept. In Socrates ideal city there are three classes into which all the population is divided: the workers, the military fighters, and the guardians. This final group represents the most well bred members of society. They excel in everything they do and thus represent the highest qualities of man. Wisdom, Says Socrates, “…is to be found in the thinking element, the guardians, and it is the knowledge in the light of which they lead the city.” (120, Republic) He goes on the talk about how, although the Guardians are one of the more important parts of society, they are not the only part. The solider play an important role as well. “Courage or Spirit, the quality of the soldiers, is the preserver of the constitution from the twin dangers of war and sedition.” (120, Republic) As peacekeepers they donate Courage and Spirit to the city preventing uprisings and making sure the people are safe. Lastly Socrates talks about a virtue common to all classes. Temperance, he says, is one of the final characteristics of an ideal society. He describes it as “… the virtue that enables all the others to flourish…”(120, Republic) These merits are what constitute a perfect city or what make excellence in a person.
In all the definition of excellence is very personal. It varies from one person to another and there are often points that we don’t agree about. Take for instance the virtue of Justice. It is believed to be an essential part of the superior human, but just what is justice? This along with justice is often decided by the personality and few people feel the same way in every situation. While it is true that a number of virtues such as Courage, Temperance, and Wisdom hold true even today, we are constantly redefining our explanation. As we can see, over time, people’s description of excellence is altered such as was Odesseus’. What people once viewed as heroic; treatchery, murder, cunning, and revenge, are now frowned upon. In the end it comes down to the individual. Did they influence people to think outside what is perceived as the normal sphere of knowledge? Have they contributed to society or are they simply living their lives? Do they understand the true meaning of distinction or have they merely blended in? These are all questions we must ask before we can truly decide what it means to achieve excellence.
