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Plato describes the man set out on one common goal as coming closest to fulfilling his purpose in the perfect state. In his perfect state, which is just an allegory for the soul, a farmer wouldn't also be a blacksmith for instance. If you've never read Plato its pretty much like this. The soul is divided into three parts; spirit, appetite, and reason; each which must be directed to its proper place in the constitution of the individual in the way in which he conducts his actions. He uses logic to presume that since these parts are found in the soul they should also be found in the state, since the state has its origin in the individual and should thus be a reflection of him. So the state (composed of a part for its reason,the rulers, a part for its spirit, the guardians, and a part for its appetite, the commonwealth) functions best when every part is directed to where it naturally belongs.
This idea of purpose Plato discusses always stood out to me in his works. If you're meant to fulfill your purpose or be the best you could possibly be at something you have to directed everything towards it so you become one man instead of several. I've always found this idea fascinating and am wondering if there are other philosophers who touch on this idea. I have a choice between physics and English, which I want to peruse for a focus of study. I see them as opposite ends of a spectrum in what they resemble. Physics is mathematical and much more strictly logical than English. English, while logical in terms of language, is much more about creativity and what you bring to the picture. (I'm sure theres a specific word/distinction between these two things which I'm missing) To major in physics would make me more mathematical and logical and less creative in terms of English. Each requires to be a different type of thinker is what I'm trying to say, and since I have a choice in which to dedicate myself to I'm deciding what type of thinker I will make of myself. When I say this I don't mean only in terms of college education. To dedicate myself to something means dedicating every moment, every thought, and every motivation towards understanding it. If you want to be really great at something like writing every second you don't put into thinking about how you can create better is a waste. Einstein did this with physics. Many of his thought experiments concern ordinary things like trains and clocktowers and elevators because he was always thinking about physics in relation to everything, always putting every fiber of his being into understanding and always asking questions about everything he saw. This is what I want to do with a study. So what do you think is more fulfilling, physics or English? Also what other philosophers touch on this model of purpose?