Plato’s Allegory [1]
Plato’s Chariot in Plato’s Allegory, in Phaedrus’s dialogue (section 246a–254e), uses the Chariot Allegory to explain his perspective on the human soul.
Plato presents the image of a charioteer (Greek: ἡνίοχος) driving a chariot drawn by two winged horses:
The charioteer represents the intellect, the reason, or the part of the soul that is to guide the soul towards the truth;
One horse represents the reason or moral impulse or the positive part of the nature;
The second horse represents the irrational passions of the soul, lust, and concupiscent nature; The charioteer guides the whole chariot/soul, trying to prevent the horses from going different ways and continuing on the road towards enlightenment.
I considered the three mental processes (sensory – cognitive – affective) to be essential in the way we develop and relate to each other, and I called the structure based on these three pillars “The PIE Model“, my tulip.
I apply the PIE Model (Physical – Intellectual – Emotional) in the coaching process to balance and strengthen these three pillars in personal and interpersonal development.
The way we perceive external situations, as well as the way we respond to them, are shaped by the “lens” we have become accustomed to wearing more often.
This can be an emotional (Emotional), rational (Intellectual) or instinctual (Physical) “lens”.
A concrete example:
At a dinner out, your close friends who have been a couple for a long time, announce that they are getting married. They set the date and use the occasion to invite their friends to the ceremony.
The reactions of the friends present may vary according to each person’s “lens”:
o Response from the friend with “Rational Lens”
“Congratulations! I wish you all the best and may everything work out the way you want! If you need any help with organization, location scouting, let me know! It’s not long until the wedding and there are a lot of things to do!”
o Response from the friend with “Emotional Lens”
“Congratulations darlings! How very happy for you! I can’t believe it…it seems like yesterday you met! I’m so happy for you! You’ve made me so emotional… (this one can’t help the tears of joy for the happiness of his friends)”
o Response from the friend with “Instinctual Lens”
“Fantastic!!! How happy I am for you!” Immediately gets up from the table and hugs the two of them!” He shows his joy on a physical, tactile level.
Of course, each of us comprises all the mental processes, which we access depending on the given situation. But it is easier for us to appeal to one of the psychological functions that we have found over time to suit us better, that we find easier to manifest, to express ourselves in a certain way, or to understand more easily certain reactions of other people, when they are in line with our preferred “lens”.
In theory [2] the mental processes referred to in the PIE model are:
- sensorial mental processes: sensation, perception, and representation;
- cognitive mental processes: thinking, language, memory, imagination;
- regulatory mental processes: affectivity, motivation, will and attention;
All three areas (physical, cognitive, and affective) are essential in our development, and it is important to clarify that there is NO such thing as a good and right “lens” and a less good or wrong “lens”.
The question we need to ask ourselves:
The way we perceive the world and manifest outwardly – HELPS US or LIMITS US?
- If it helps 🡪 GREAT
- If it does not help 🡪 it’s worth discovering what we can do differently so that it HELPS US
We need to pay attention to the uniqueness of each of us, to be aware of the different ways in which we manifest ourselves in the world and to find the right formula for ourselves.
In the coaching process we consider these three pillars (PHYSICAL – INTELLECTUAL – EMOTIONAL) and during the coaching we clarify and discover what the right formula for each client is.
Essentially it is about being aware of the presence of the three areas and including all mental functions in the process of observing, interpreting, and manifesting our response in accordance with the perceived reality, with the aim of balancing ourselves on a personal level, so that in the next step, we can coordinate and harmonize with our partner.
Some topics for discussion within the three areas:
| PHYSICAL | INTELLECTUAL | EMOTIONAL |
| Body (perception of it; perception of partner’s body; health vs. disease | Thoughts, Principles, Beliefs, Values, Purpose (addressed at individual & couple level) | Emotions & Feelings The way we choose to transmit or internalize them |
| Physical activity vs.Rest | Personal responsibilities & joint responsibilities as a couple | Motivation and Will(desire for change and personal discipline) |
| Daily routine(nutrition/ hydration/ rest/ addictions) | Individual projects and plans & joint projects | Emotional state. Where emotions are located on the timeline (Past – Present – Future) |
| Intimacy & Sexuality | Personal development activities and information: human typology, developmental stages, attachment styles, conflict management; | Emotional Intelligence: Independence vs. attachment; self & partner respect; empathy; flexibility; stress tolerance; the quality of interpersonal relationships; impulse control; |
| Time spentwith the partner(quantity & quality) | Language and way of expressing thoughts (NLP) | Intelligence from the heart Polyvagal theory |
[1] Plato’s Allegory
Plato & Nichols, J. H. (tr. and ed.). Phaedrus. Cornell University Press. (1998).
SUZANNE, Bernard F. “Plato’s Phaedrus – Plan of dialogue on rhetoric”. plato-dialogues.org. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
Image taken from: Plato’s Chariot Allegory (john-uebersax.com)
[2] Fundamentals of Psychology – Mihai Golu; România de Mâine Foundation Publishing House
