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A critique on Plato's Republic
A critique on Plato's Republic
Short note on Plato's The Republic
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When it comes to Plato's Republic, there are a few distinctions that are used to describe its contents, those being appearance vs. reality, one vs. the many, and forms/ideals vs. physical objects.
When I think about the first distinction, appearance vs. reality, I interpret that to basically mean perception vs. truth. For instance, to me the term "appearance" refers to an individual's perception of an object or experience such as how it looks, smells, sounds, and feels. The term "reality," however, I interpret to mean the scientific facts/truths about an object or experience. For example, an appearance of an apple would be that it is red, round, smooth, and sweet to the taste. The reality of an apple would be its chemical makeup and what is inside of it such as carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, as well as how many calories of energy it contains.
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the many, was a bit tricky for me to decipher. However, I came to the conclusion that by the "one" Plato is referring to a general grouping, or a form, that is made up of things that share a common trait, which is what places the things in that particular group. The "many" refers to all of the individual things are a part of that group, which are all very different other than the aforementioned common trait. For instance, the term "fruit" is considered the "one" because it is a general term that can be applied to many other things. These other things, such as apples, oranges, and lemons, are the "many" because they are all very different other than the fact that they are all
Marra, James L., Zelnick, Stephen C., and Mattson, Mark T. IH 51 Source Book: Plato, The Republic, pp. 77-106. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa, 1998.
Even today, Noble falsehood is a popular topic. On one hand, people are keen to talk how politicians use those well-intentional lies to achieve some incredible things. On the other hand, people accuse those politicians of divesting people’s right of choice making and intentionally hiding the truth. It seems that people have an alternative feeling towards falsehood. Thus, this essay is aim to discuss why and how in some cases falsehood is such a useful thing in politics, whereas in the others it is a contradiction in Plato’s political project.
As in other areas of “The Republic,” Plato carefully outlines the delineations which form the basis for the types of rulers to be installed in the state. “Rulers” (legislative and udicial), “Auxiliaries” (executive), and “Craftsmen” (productive and fficacious) are the titles of the categories and are based, not on birth or wealth, but on natural capacities and aspirations. Plato was convinced that children born into any class should still be moved up or down based on their merits regardless of their connections or heritage. He believes the citizens of the State will support and benefit from such a system and presents the idea in the form of an allegorical myth.
Plato. The Republic. Trans. Sterling, Richard and Scott, William. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1985.
The second book of the Republic shows the repressive quality of Plato’s society. Plato, talking through Socrates, wants
The Republic is considered to be one of Plato’s most storied legacies. Plato recorded many different philosophical ideals in his writings. Addressing a wide variety of topics from justice in book one, to knowledge, enlightenment, and the senses as he does in book seven. In his seventh book, when discussing the concept of knowledge, he virtually addresses the cliché “seeing is believing”, while attempting to validate the roots of our knowledge. By his use of philosophical themes, Plato is able to further his points on enlightenment, knowledge, and education.
Plato’s view on existence can be understood by discussing his theory of Forms. The theory of Forms or Ideas is about the existence of ideas in higher form of reality, the existence of a reality inhabited by forms of all things and concepts. Plato used example of objects such as table and rock and concepts like Beauty and Justice to illustrate the notion of Forms. Plato further describes Forms as a being possessed by concepts. For example, Virtue has different characters; but they all have a common nature which makes them virtuous.
Plato. (1992). Plato Republic. (G. Grube, & C. Reeve, Eds.) Indiana: Hackett Publishing Company Inc.
Contrastingly, Plato's "Republic" gives little or no consideration to the individuals interests. Plato believes that the republic trumps all, and basic human interests such as the desire to improve one's station in life is disregarded as unnatural or even the desire not to be lied to are not even worthy of consideration.
tied down so that they may not move or look backwards. All they see is
Plato’s Phaedo follows the last hours of philosopher Socrates’ life before his impending execution. Socrates’ followers visit him in jail to try and glean a few last pieces of knowledge from their beloved teacher. The crux of their discussion deals with the question: What happens to souls after death? Socrates attempts to answer the age-old question for his pupils before he finds out firsthand. In his answer, Socrates argues that the soul is immortal and to support this assertion, the philosopher presents four arguments to his listeners: the Argument from Opposites, the Argument from Affinity, the Theory of Recollection, and the Theory of Forms. Of these arguments, establishing the Theory of Forms is the most essential
Plato. Republic. Trans. G.M.A. Grube and C.D.C. Reeve. Plato Complete Works. Ed. John M. Cooper. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1997.
Most people have indulged in the perfect wine, made love to the perfect person while possibly wearing the perfect outfit. Or have they? Is there a such thing as perfection, if so can we attain it? No. Nothing in this world is perfect because it is impossible to create perfection. According to Plato's Theory of Forms, perfection cannot exist in the physical world but only the realm of the philosophers; the ones who choose to lurk deeper in the veiled mysteries of metaphysics.
The beauty behind the writings of Plato is to not accept what is interpreted through the senses. In Plato's theory of forms, Plato explained the immaterial world as the realm containing the perfect form of objects and ideas that are presented on Earth. For instance, the idea of justice is inadequate on Earth, but in an alternate universe the idea of justice is in its perfect form.
... state. In Plato's argument for the ideal state, the fundamental bonds which hold together his republic are unity and harmony. He explains how the just state is held together by the unity of each individual in each social class, and harmony between all three social classes. Plato explains how the ideal state must have citizens who are united in their goals. It is not the happiness of the individual but rather the happiness of the whole which keeps the just state ideal. At the same time, Plato argues that there must be harmony within the individual souls which make up the state. The lack of unity and harmony leads to despotism through anarchy which eventually arises within a democracy. Plato makes a clear argument, through The Republic, that without the unity and harmony of the individual and the state there can be no order and therefore there can be no ideal state.