Plato: The Republic

PLATO: THE REPUBLIC CHARACTER Characterization SOCRATES Athenian citizen, stone-mason, semi-professional twit. GLAUKON rich young man, brother of Plato ADEIMANTOS rich young man, brother of Plato THRASYMACHOS a Sophist, from Chalcedon, who demands payment for knowledge and truth POLEMARCHOS son of Cephalos, brother of Lysias the Orator; killed in 403 B.C. by the 30 Tyrants (among whom were Plato's cousin Kritias and his uncle Charmides) [See the surviving speech delivered by Lysias, Against Eratosthenes]. CEPHALOS of Syracuse. Father of Polemarchos and of Lysias the Orator. A rich metic and weapons industrialist. Others: Charmantides, Euthydemos, Kleitophon, Lysias, Nikeratos DRAMATIC DATE uncertain Cephalos was old (he actually died in 430). Polemarchos died in 403. Plato was born in 427. That Plato's brothers are young men puts practical limitations on how far before or into the Archidamian War the dialogue could be placed. BOOK CONTENT BOOK I DEFINING JUSTICE ● ● ● Speaking the truth and paying your debts Helping friends and harming enemies Stronger and Weaker REFERENCES 327b–331d 331e–336a 336b–347e 347e–354c the 'ruler' leadershipand craftsmanship a speech about 'justice' why people want to rule The profitability of 'injustice' BOOK II THE NATURE OF JUSTICE AND 'THE GOOD' ● Which things are 'just'? (Glaukon) 357a–367e things good in themselves? things good and profitable? things painful but good? ● ● BOOK III THE BASIC EDUCATION OF THE GUARDIANS ● ● ● ● ● BOOK IV Origins of the State, and its needs The Guardians, and their education ● ● ● ● Tragedy and comedy Censorship and limitation Literature, music, art, and character, gymnastics: aim is harmony Physical training for soldiers (Addiction to physicians and law courts) 367e–374d 374e–383c 392c–398b 398c–400c 400c–403c 403c–412b SELECTION OF RULERS 412c–421c Allegory of metals Abolition of private property; 421c–427c communal living 427c–434d The CARDINAL VIRTUES of the State: philosopher-kings: WISDOM (gold) soldiers: COURAGE (silver) farmers-artisans: TEMPERANCE (bronze-iron) 441c–445b Justice exists when each class carries out its own function with harmony. ● Virtue in the individual: Each part of the soul should practice its own virute in harmony: 445b–457b reason–wisdom–rule good emotion–courage–obedience base emotion –temperance & control –subordination BOOK V ● Equality of women ● Communal living of the Ruling Class The city in war Philosophers as kings The Theory of Forms ● ● ● BOOK VI THE PHILOSOPHER-KING ● ● ● ● ● True philosophers Not so good philosophers Can Philosopher-kings exist? The Idea of the Good The Myth of the Divided Line BOOK VII THE EDUCATION OF THE GUARDIANS ● ● BOOK VIII The Allegory of The Cave The six steps in education SOULS AND SOCIETIES (The degenerate soul) ● ● ● ● BOOK IX 457b–466d 466d–471e 472a–476a 476b–480a Timocracies Oligarchies Democracies Tyrannies The Book of the Tyrant 484a–487a 487b–497a 497a–502c 502d–509c 509d–511c 514a–541b 514a–521b 535a-541b 543a–569c 543a–550c 550c–555b 555b–562a 562a–569c 571a–592b 571a–576b ● ● ● BOOK X The character of the tyrannical man 'justice' = 'happiness' 'justice' = 'profitable' LITERATURE AND IMMORTALITY ● ● Poetry is the enemy Justice: The Rewards 588b–592b 595a–621d 595a–608b 608c–621d