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An essay on plato's republic
Human nature plato the republic
Justice in modern society
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The Republic of Plato explores the meaning of Justice from both an individual and societal point of view. It also looks into the incorporation of Justice into human society, in other words, how to create an ideal state of social order in a society. This is carried out through the various dialogues and arguments between Socrates and other individuals. During this process, Socrates gave a detailed analysis of the formation, structure and the organization of an ideal State, and through this, vindicate the intrinsic value of being a Just person in a society and the virtues that each individual must possess.
In the dialogue with Glaucon and Adeimantus, where Socrates discussed about Justice in the State, he pointed out that there will be three orders in the State: the Rulers (legislative and deliberative), Auxillaries (executives) and Craftsmen (productive). The institution is based, not on birth or wealth, but on natural capacities and attainments, after years of primary education. These 3 chief social functions are kept distinct and rightly performed.
Since Socrates believed that qualities of a community are those of the component individuals, we may expect to find these 3 corresponding elements in each individual soul. However, the structure of the society is based on the fact that they are developed to different degrees in different types of character. Together with the application of the law of specialization and division of labor, we can see clearly how these distinct c...
In Book 1 of the ‘Republic’, Socrates, in answer to the question ‘What is Justice?’ is presented with a real and dangerous alternative to what he thinks to be the truth about Justice. Julia Annas believes Thrasymachus thinks Justice and Injustice do have a real existence that is independent of human institutions; and that Thrasymachus makes a decided commitment to Injustice. She calls this view ‘Immoralism’: “the immoralist holds that there is an important question about justice, to be answered by showing that injustice is better.” This essay identifies this ‘Immoral’ view before understanding if and how Plato can respond to it. How does Plato attempt to refute Thrasymachus’s argument? Is he successful?
For the author, the fact that Perpetua is a woman strengthens her sacrifice for her faith. This is due to the societal norms and customs she disobeys and overcomes to become a martyr. In ancient Rome, they lived in a patriarchal society. This will make her disobedience of her father more noteworthy as it violates the cultural custom. In her writing, Perpetua talks of her father coming to her in the prison. She says “He came up to me to cast down my faith saying: Have pity, daughter, on my grey hairs; have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be called father by you” (The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas 5). Multiple times, her father comes to her in prison, begging that she say she is not a Christian so she may live. Through this interaction with her father, we can see his fatherly love as he tries to prevent her death. We also see a sort of disgrace that comes from a daughter’s disobedience, she writes that her father says “give me not over to the reproach of men” (The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas 5). This show of direct disobedience of her father portrays Perpetua as a stronger martyr. She is not only giving her life for her faith, but going against society and customs, saying her beliefs are more important than both. This is a strong example to encourage conversion to Christianity. When Perpetua is in prison, her father tells her to “look upon your son, who will not endure to live after you” (The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas 5). This leads to another point concerning Perpetua as a woman. If she dies for her faith, she will abandon her child and give up being a mother. In ancient times, much of a women’s identity was in her ability to be a good mother. With her martyrdom, Perpetua will choose faith over this key part of her life and legacy. This, yet again, shows why, by being a woman, Perpetua is a strong example in the author’s purpose to convert
Much as we later learn that she is a mother, she purposefully abandoned all that makes her a mother and assumes the position of a girl (Martydon of Perpetua and Felicitas 50). This further demonstrates that all she wants to invest her energy on, is Christ. Upon being baptized, Perpetua is sent to prison together with other several Christian companions and her infant so (Martydon of Perpetua and Felicitas 49). Here, we are able to infer that her relationship with the family is ambiguous and complex. This strained relationship is evident in the way Perpetua presents her own father, whom she views as a devil (Martydon of Perpetua and Felicitas 50). However, by receiving comfort from the brother and mother, she distinguishes herself as a lady who is up to embrace only those who grant her support to serve Christ. By being tormented even by taking care of her son, Perpetua gives the image of a devoted Christian who is ready to devote her whole time, life, and body to Christ (Martydon of Perpetua and Felicitas 51). This implies that she is not ready to take the naturally ties lightly. Also, based on the first half of her story that builds up to the vivid public break with her family roles as a mother and a daughter, Perpetua stands out as a real martyr ready to sacrifice anything for the sake of serving
Plato’s Republic focuses on one particular question: is it better to be just or unjust? Thrasymachus introduces this question in book I by suggesting that justice is established as an advantage to the stronger, who may act unjustly, so that the weak will “act justly” by serving in their interests. Therefore, he claims that justice is “stronger, freer, and more masterly than justice” (Plato, Republic 344c). Plato begins to argue that injustice is never more profitable to a person than justice and Thrasymachus withdraws from the argument, granting Plato’s response. Glaucon, however, is not satisfied and proposes a challenge to Plato to prove that justice is intrinsically valuable and that living a just life is always superior. This paper will explain Glaucon’s challenge to Plato regarding the value of justice, followed by Plato’s response in which he argues that his theory of justice, explained by three parts of the soul, proves the intrinsic value of justice and that a just life is preeminent. Finally, it will be shown that Plato’s response succeeds in answering Glaucon’s challenge.
Two great philosophers had individual concepts of tranny that both shared the idea that this form of government was flawed. The first philosopher is named Plato. Plato was born around the year 428 BCE in Athens. He began his philosophy journey when influenced by his mentor Socrates. Socrates was a Greek philosopher who greatly aided in creating what is known as the Western Political Thought. Socrates taught Plato to question all that was around him and go in search for answers. One of the concepts Plato was taught was to question the way that those in Athens were being ruled. Socrates taught Plato that ruling through oppression and force also known as tyranny was far from the correct way to govern. From Socrates learnings Plato developed his own ideas of tyranny. His form of expression,
Timocracy and oligarchy are valued more than democracy by Socrates. Individuals within a timocracy are ruled by the spirited part of the soul and as a result are constantly in search of honor. The spirited part of the soul aides the rational and therefore is valued as the second best part of the soul. The principle of specialization is still apparent among the individuals within the timocratic city but it is not governed as well as an aristocracy.
During the time period of The Republic, the problems and challenges that each community was faced with were all dealt with in a different way. In the world today, a lot of people care about themselves. For many people, the word justice can mean many different things, but because some only look out for themselves, many of these people do not think about everyone else’s role in the world of society. The struggle for justice is still demonstrated in contemporary culture today. One particular concept from Plato’s The Republic, which relates to contemporary culture is this concept of justice. In the beginning of The Republic, Socrates listeners, Cephalus, Polemarchus, and Thrasymachus, ask Socrates whether justice is stronger than injustice, and
In Plato’s The Republic, we, the readers, are presented with two characters that have opposing views on a simple, yet elusive question: what is justice? In this paper, I will explain Thrasymachus’ definition of justice, as well as Socrates’s rebuttals and differences in opinion. In addition, I will comment on the different arguments made by both Socrates and Thrasymachus, and offer critical commentary and examples to illustrate my agreement or disagreement with the particular argument at hand.
While in prison awaiting her death she wrote down a series of dreams she had which became known as the passio. Perpetua describes how she was baptized while in prison, at which point the Holy Spirit told her not to request anything from her baptism other than the ability to endure physical suffering. Her brother, who is also in prison, asks her to ask God for a vision revealing her whether she would be released or not (25).She then has a dream where she ascends a ladder covered in weapons. Reaching the top she meets a grey haired man dressed as a shepherd surrounded by people dressed in white. This man gives her cheese which she eats before awakening. Following this dream she realizes she and her brother will be martyred. Her father, however, is not a Christian and continues to beg her to renounce her faith (26). Perpetua next has another dream, this time of her brother Dinocrates who died in childhood. He is thirsty but cannot reach the water. Perpetua realizes he is in trouble and so prays for him. She then has another dream where he is capable of reaching the water and drinking (27). In her third and final dream she is lead to the arena she is to die in by the deacon Pomponius. When she arrives there she turns into a man. She then fights with a defeats an Egyptian and is given a branch as a sign of victory. She takes the meaning of this dream to be that she will contend with Satan in the arena (28). To me this entire document seems very strange. All of her dreams seem very disjointed and highly reminiscent of the seemingly random patters the normal way that the mind dreams. While Perpetua may be a saint and a martyr, it seems odd to point to the events of this documents as evidence of spiritual gifts. There is nothing in account of her dreams that seems remotely supernatural or even remarkable. The only theologically interesting part is her relating of the dream concerning her brother he died in childhood as there
The Republic is the most important dialogue within Plato's teaching of politics. It deals with the soul, which, as we know from the beginning, at the level where one must make choices and decide what one wants to become in this life, and it describes justice as the ultimate form of human, and the ideal one should strive for both in life and in state. Justice as understood by Plato is not merely a social virtue, having only to do with relationship between people, but virtue that makes it possible for one to build their own regime and reach happiness.
In the year 203 Perpetua became a Christian even though she could be killed, because Christians were being persecuted. Her father was worried for her safety and tried to talk her out of converting. At this time, Perpetua was well educated and had baby boy, but it is assumed that she is a widow. Her father continued to dissuade her from converting, but she kept on saying she was a Christian. Her father was so mad she converted, that he attacked her. After the attack she was arrested and imprisoned. Four other catechumens, and a catechist were arrested with or prior to Perpetua. Perpetua was baptized before being taken to prison, and had a conversation with God. At the time of her baptism the Lord told her to pray for endurance during her trial. The prison she was put in was overcrowded and had little light. She was very afraid, but she was very upset to be separated from her baby. Soon, two deacons paid prison guards to put Perpetua and fellow martyr Felicity in a better part of the prison. Her mother and
The subject matter of the “Republic” is the nature of justice and its relation to human existence. Book I of the “republic” contains a critical examination of the nature and virtue of justice. Socrates engages in a dialectic with Thrasymachus, Polemarchus, and Cephalus, a method which leads to the asking and answering of questions which directs to a logical refutation and thus leading to a convincing argument of the true nature of justice. And that is the main function of Book I, to clear the ground of mistaken or inadequate accounts of justice in order to make room for the new theory. Socrates attempts to show that certain beliefs and attitudes of justice and its nature are inadequate or inconsistent, and present a way in which those views about justice are to be overcome.
Socrates now introduces a new method with use of imagery. He mentions a city and all that's within a city, to be applied in reference to the human soul. There are three cities he speaks of the city of necessity, the city of luxury, and the feverish city. The city of necessity only includes items, such as food, shelter and clothing, needed for survival as well as laborers to provide them. Soon, the laborers begin to expand necessity to comfort, thus forming th...
The Republic is an examination of the "Good Life"; the harmony reached by applying pure reason and justice. The ideas and arguments of Plato center on the social settings of an ideal republic - those that lead each person to the most perfect possible life for him. Socrates was Plato's early mentor in real life. As a tribute to his teacher, Plato uses Socrates in several of his works and dialogues. Socrates moderates the discussion throughout, as Plato's mouthpiece. Through Socrates' powerful and brilliant questions and explanations on a series of topics, the reader comes to understand what Plato's model society would look like. The basic plan of the Republic is to draw an analogy between the operation of society as a whole and the life of any individual human being. In this paper I will present Plato’s argument that the soul is divides into three parts. I will examine what these parts are, and I will also explain his arguments behind this conclusion. Finally, I will describe how Plato relates the three parts of the soul to a city the different social classes within that city.
In Plato’s Republic, the main argument is dedicated to answering Glaucon and Adeimantus, who question the reason for just behavior. They argue it is against one’s self-interest to be just, but Plato believes the behavior is in fact in one’s self-interest because justice is inherently good. Plato tries to prove this through his depiction of an ideal city, which he builds from the ground up, and ultimately concludes that justice requires the philosopher to perform the task of ruling. Since the overall argument is that justice pays, it follows that it would be in the philosopher’s self-interest to rule – however, Plato also states that whenever people with political power believe they benefit from ruling, a good government is impossible. Thus, those who rule regard the task of ruling as not in their self-interest, but something intrinsically evil. This is where Plato’s argument that justice is in one’s self-interest is disturbed. This paper will discuss the idea that justice is not in one’s self-interest, and thus does not pay.