The Republic Of Plato s Republic - 893 Words

Plato’s Republic Plato aims to show from book 1 that justice has intrinsic value to itself, that it gives one a more satisfying pursuit of life. In book I, he retorts Thrasymachus account that justice is the advantage of the stronger. Initially this makes sense that if justice were defined by state law, then the entirety of nations, differing in laws, would be unified by the principle of rule by force, in which the strong create the law. They would do so to suit their own specific needs. Inherent to this argument is the presumption that the ruler’s control of education will leave the citizens unable to determine the ultimate goal of the state law and assume that it is to uphold their own needs society. This would leave the Socrates’ elenchus useless. But despite this Socrates examines the definition of a ruler and concludes it to correspond with the care of his subjects, and Thrasymachus agrees. From this springboard, only by refutation, does Socrates get Thrasy machus to admit, that inherent to justice must be order, wisdom and virtue. The clear and consistent direction of argument reveals Plato’s presuppositions on the subject, and namely that it is valuable and virtuous in its self. In Book II, justice is examined from a different point of view. Socrates and Glaucon construct a masterful argument in which justice is merely a compromise in men. That, according to his nature, man is completely inclined towards injustice, and that being just would not beShow MoreRelatedThe Republic Of Plato s Republic865 Words   |  4 Pagesgovernments, ideal cities and even ideal rulers over the course of the semester, from Aristotle’s Politics to the city described in the Melian dialogue, there is one that undoubtedly left a greater on me than the other- the city described in Plato’s Republic. From Plato’s remarkably feminist ideals and vague sense of barebones socialism, there’s a lot in this city that I hypotheticall y would throw my support behind. This is not to say that I think that this is the â€Å"best† option of the cities that weRead MoreIs Plato s The Republic? Essay1134 Words   |  5 Pageshave similar influences on people. One such text is Plato’s The Republic. As said by Professor Jon Dorbolo of Oregon State University, â€Å"The Republic is considered by many to be Plato s masterwork. It certainly is one of the most important texts of political theory.† While reading this text, several different messages begin to reveal themselves throughout the text. Some of the most important ideas that can be found within Plato’s Republic, include, humans are inherently good, people should perform tasksRead MorePlato And Plato s Republic1119 Words   |  5 PagesThe ancient Greek Philosopher Plato had an interest in finding the ideal government. In Plato’s Republic, he discusses his ideas and views of how this ideal government would function. He believed that people are born into 3 different classes, with different responsibilities (Plato 415a). Only people in the â€Å"golden† class were fit to rule. The most effective of these rulers would be philosophers, as they have knowledge of the good of the whole (Plato 473d). This system seems too perfect for me. IRead MoreThe Life Of Plato s The Republic1340 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout the early books of Plato’s The Republic, Socrates and his interlocutors Adeimantus, Polemarchus, Glaucon, Thrasymachus, and to a lesser extent Cephalus, explore what it means to be just and why justice is preferable to injustice. This topic was brought up in a monologue from Cephalus, who is an old patriarch that represents Greek tradition and thus offers a traditional view of justice. One by one, all of the interlocutors attempt to define justice, with Socrates disagreeing with at leastRead MoreComparing Plato s Republic, The Philosopher And Plato965 Words   |  4 PagesIn Plato s Republic , the philosopher is sitting having a discussion with his fellow peers and friends. During this conversation each character except Plato offers their opening and reasoning on the question, what is justice. For the majority of the book Plato outlines almost every aspect of his ideal city. Within this city Plato has set up many rules in order for the city to remain just. All the way from mating rituals to who should rule, virtually all factors have been thought of and serves a specificRead MoreAnalysis of Plato ´s Republic974 Words   |  4 PagesRepublic, perhaps Plato’s most famous work focusing on justice and its values, is also home to Socrates’ unique ideas and the challenges that he faces throughout his dialogues with other philosophers. Nevertheless, justice is not the only topic that Plato examines in his work. In the Republic, a simple discussion of the justice and the different characteristics of cities, escalates into a discussion about the souls of individ uals. Socrates starts out by offering an agreement to the fact that sinceRead MoreComparing Plato s The Republic957 Words   |  4 Pagesrulers change their ways as well as do what they can for the good of their people. In Plato’s The Republic, the character Socrates argues with his peers about what makes the perfect society, as well as the perfect leader. According to Plato, the wisest choice for a ruler in a near perfect society is a philosopher, containing multiple important attributes. A wide variety of characteristics are covered, yet Plato seems to focus in on several key foundations. Plato’s views on essential traits of a philosopherRead MorePlato s Republic As A Guide883 Words   |  4 PagesLet me tell you about â€Å"the perfect republic.† First, I’ll describe it to you using Plato’s Republic as a guide. Then, I’ll explain whether it is better to live in Plato’s republic or in a timarchy, oligarchy, democracy, or a tyranny . Plato’s books create an ideal city where there are the producers (farmers, craftsmen, etc.), the auxiliaries, also known as the warriors, and the guardians, they are the rulers of this city. Each of these groups must perform its job, and only that one job, and eachRead MorePlato s The Republic And Aristotle933 Words   |  4 PagesPlato’s The Republic and Aristotle’s The Politics are two classic texts in ancient Greek political thought. Although Plato taught Aristotle, the two philosophers had differing viewpoints on many subjects, one of them being the purpose of political rule. Plato believed that the purpose of political rule is to allow for the manifestation of a just city where both the city and its citizens are in harmony due to a specialization of roles according to individuals’ natures, whereas Aristotle believed thatRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Plato s Republic973 Words   |  4 PagesWhy Be Moral Plato is one of histories most prominent philosophers who studied under the philosopher, Socrates. He is well known for his book, Republic, which presents different philosophical concepts including the concept of justice and how it is always in the individual’s best interest to be just. In this book we meet Thrasymachus, a Sophist, who has an opposing view on the value of justice. Plato’s notion of justice conflicts with that of Thrasymachus and possible consequences of morality are