Platos republic book 2 notes

The only reason to be just is to avoid the consequences of unjust actions. The just life is the most fulfilling life because it is spiritually happy with yourself. In book two, socrates, thrasymachus and adeimantus decide to focus on a. Essay about platos republic book 2 notes 500 words. They aim to cover the main argumentative moments in the text, while also provoking students to ask their own questions about justice, goodness. Book seven of the republic is where socrates explains the value of this. Adeimantus interrupts to point out that most people. The present guidebook aims to help a person get fairly deep, fairly.

Book ii part 2, book iii, book iv, book v, and some of book vi and vii, on naturally occurring social classes in an ideal city state. Thrasymachus is now out of the dialogue, having gracelessly told socrates that socrates was all along. Socrates defines the true philosopher as a person who loves the knowledge that reveals the nature of eternal truths. But we do not want them to turn against their fellow citizens.

Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Oct 07, 2014 summary and analysis of book 2 of plato s republic. Socrates replies that he is trying to mold a city where most of the population is happy, and not where there are a few people who are extraordinarily happy. Having introduced the idea of the philosopherkings rule of the ideal state in book 5, socrates now turns to this topic in earnest. Describe the education of the guardians as it is presented in books 2 and 3 of platos republic. It is plato s bestknown work, and has proven to be one.

Find a summary of this and each chapter of the republic. Plato republic book 1 things to remember reading the republic at 33 is infinitely more difficult and enlightening than it was when i first attempted it at age 18. Chapter summary for plato s the republic, book 4 summary. To this, socrates answers that justice is in the most beautiful class of all. It s architect will be socrates, the fictional persona plato creates for himself. It is at the end of book 4 a number of strands in the argument finally come together. In book 3 socrates continues directly on the discussion of education for the guardians in the ideal state. Oct 06, 2014 the first book of platos republic is concerned with justice. Thrasymachus definition is the central challenge of the rest of the republic, as socrates tries to prove him wrong. Res publica is a socratic dialogue, written by plato around 375 bc, concerning justice. We have agreed, says socrates, that the guardians must be warlike and fierce in their defense against the enemies of the state. Thrasymarchus, thug notes, 8bit philosophy, wisecrack, sparknotes, video sparknotes, academy of ideas, the school of life, philosophy tube. At this point, adeimantus interrupts and asks socrates what he would say if his people were not happy, as it would be the fault of the city that does not allow them money to travel, or mansions, or treasure and jewelry. It keeps him from having to leave life in the fear of owing debts to men or sacrifices to the gods.

And since it is a given that people are born with various talents, or abilities, it follows that they should be assigned various levels of employment in order to ensure the common good and to perfect the stability of the state. Also, during this discussion the philosophers unlock the. Check out our revolutionary side byside summary and analysis. The republic is a book that showed views of justice and questions of justice. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in the republic, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. The first book of plato s republic is concerned with justice. It is known as a socratic dialogue and is perhaps one of plato s best known works. The final book of the republic begins with socrates return to an earlier theme, that of imitative poetry. Rather than having a singular main argument, the dialogues explore all sides. Cliffsnotes on platos republic helps you explore these writings by providing you with summaries and commentaries, book by book. With adeimantus and glaucon as auditors, socrates recommences his attack on libelous poetry and fiction as unsuitable for the early education of the guardians of the state. Book summary the major intent of the debate in the republic is to determine an extended definition of what constitutes justice in a given state, whether or not a concept of justice may be determined by citizens in a given state at the time that plato is writing, and how justice may be accomplished in a given state how laws might be enacted that would serve the citizens of a just state in. The philosopher as a lover of learning and truth is disinclined to attend to physical pleasures.

Glaucon takes the lead, first discoursing on justice as a mean or compromise, whereby men agree laws must intervene in order to prevent the excessive doing or suffering of evil. How it has been able to do this, and whether or not it will be able to do this in your own case, is something you can only discover for yourself. The dialogue begins with what is apparently a friendly and innocuous conversation between socrates and cephalus, in which socrates asks cephalus what he has learned from having lived a long life during which cephalus has managed to acquire a. Plato allegory of the cave the republic, book vii, 514a521d. Socrates walks to the athens harbor, the piraeus, with glaucon, plato s brother. When approaching new people on twitter, i like to ask them fun and thoughtful questions. People unite to form a community because of mutual needs. Plato republic book 2 educational system as a state what is a state. The republic book iii summary and analysis gradesaver. Summary the ring of gyges in platos republic reason and. Platos republic 2 summary and analysis plato wrote many works based on the teachings of socrates. Glaucon, eager to hear socrates demonstrate that justice is worthy of pursuit as both an end and as a means to an end, offers to play devils advocate and oppose his. The ideal city republic book 2 summary 2 of 2 youtube.

Plato s republic book one test 2 philosophy 105 with case at saint louis university studyblue flashcards. Justice as a convenience 357367e summary glaucon, playing devils advocate, argues that justice is a good that is. Socrates attempts to prove that the philosopher is best suited to rule. The intelligent troglodytes guide to platos republic open. What is justice and why should one behave justly are two questions which socrates and his interlocutors attempt to answer. Along the way, the three men meet adeimantus, another brother of plato. Plato republic book 2 summary and analysis youtube.

The republic by plato, part of the internet classics archive. The republic study guide contains a biography of plato, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a. The republic book vii summary and analysis gradesaver. One of the most famous discussions of justice occurs in book 2 of plato s the republic where socrates interlocutor in the dialogue, glaucon, argues that there is no intrinsic reason to be just. Several oxyrhynchus papyri fragments were found to contain parts of the republic, and from other works such as phaedo, or the dialogue gorgias, written around 200300 ce. Santas presents the republic as a dialogue between three different accounts of justice. Chapter summary for platos the republic, book 2 summary. Glaucon on the origin and nature of justice plato s republic, bk 2 philosophy core concepts duration. They join thrasymachus and polemarchus father, cephalus. Justice and injustice where, then, is justice, and where is injustice, and in what part of the state did they spring up. To therejectionof imitativepoetry,whichcertainlyought not to be received.

Section ii summary socrates begins his reply to the brothers of plato by attempting to elucidate the argument, and he again employs an analogy. Study 25 plato s republic book one test 2 flashcards from brittany c. Some should be farmers, some carpenters, tailors, shoemakers. Jun 19, 2006 in platos republic book 2, glaucon and adiemantus starts to ask the question of whether justice is something we do because we are compelled by law or because it is the highest end.

Ready to call it a night, theyre intercepted by a whole gang of their acquaintances, who eventually convince them to come hang out at polemarchus s house and have a nice, long chat. Plato s the republic by the beginning of book ii of plato s the republic, many questions have been brought upon the table involving the definition of justice. After socrates has tamed thrasymachus, book 2 begins with glauc on and adeimantus taking up thrasymachus point of view and sharpening his challenge. Glaucon asks socrates whether justice belongs 1 in the class of good things we choose to have for themselves, like joy, or 2 those we value for their consequences though they themselves are hard, like physical training, or 3 the things we value for themselves and their consequences, like knowledge. About platos republic cliffsnotes study guides book. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the republic and what it means. In these strange and unpredictable times i was drawn to plato s the republic for the first time in the hope that some wisdom might prevail. Polemarchus argues that justice is doing good to your friends and harm to your enemies. Ready to call it a night, theyre intercepted by a whole gang of their acquaintances, who eventually convince them to come hang out at polemarchuss house and have a nice, long chat. Book 4 marks an important point in the complex structure of the republic as a whole. Plato means for thrasymachus to seem foolish and unpleasant, and his demand for pay, customary for sophists, is a deliberate blot on his character. Allegory of the cave the republic, book vii, 514a521d socrates and now, i said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened. As in most other platonic dialogues the main character is socrates.

Not only does it not exist in actuality, but it does not exist in theory either. The dialogue on theological principles picks up where it left off in the previous book. The republic book ii summary and analysis gradesaver. Another of socrates figures, the allegory of the cave, awaits the philosophic pilgrim who has come this far like the gaping mouth of the cave itself. He examines several poetic descriptions of courage the overcoming of fear of death and of. He reiterates that while he is still content with having banished poetry from their state, he wishes to explain his reasons more thoroughly. Dec 16, 2016 the republic summary december 16, 2016 march 22, 2019 niklas goeke self improvement 1sentencesummary.

Were going to bet youve never had a conversation quite like the one in plato s republic for starters, its a conversation so earthshatteringly deep, serious, and lifealtering that it takes up an entire 300page book. In the first episode socrates encounters some acquaintances during the festival of bendis. Glaucon asks socrates whether justice belongs 1 in the class of good things we choose to have for themselves, like joy, or 2 those we value for their consequences though they themselves are hard, like physical training. Thrasymachus, polymarchus, and the others having gone on to enjoy the festival, socrates, glaucon, and adeimantus are left alone to continue the debate on justice. The internet classics archive the republic by plato. The republic itself is nothing at the start of plato s most famous and influential book. What glaucon and the rest would like socrates to prove is that justice is not only desirable, but that it belongs to. In order to have all those things, they decide they will need a minimum of four to five people to be a farmer, builder. Platos republic book one test 2 philosophy 105 with case. The dialogue of the second book is more an intellectual exercise than the previous book, since glaucon takes a position contrary to his own in fact, it is thrasymachus for the sake of argument, and so that they might arrive at a more satisfying conclusion. A key element of plato s republic is that it is written in dialogue form. Plato republic book 1 and 2 the republic of plato is the longest of his works with the exception of the laws.

This is the first part of the republic where we get some really interesting theory beyond just an argument for an utilitarian theory of justice. Age isnt easy for a good man if he s poor, nor will a bad man ever be cheerful with himself even if he s rich. Socrates says justice is in the third and best group. Although socrates thinks that the discussion is over, glaucon continues it, asking socrates in which class of things he would place justice. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Socrates believes he has adequately responded to thrasymachus and is through with the discussion of justice, but the others are not satisfied with the conclusion they have reached. The republic, book i plato page 3 of 37 is a question which i should like to ask of you who have arrived at that time which the poets call the threshold of old age is. Book i the republic by plato, opens with his teacher, socrates returning home accompanied by one of platos brothers, glaucon. Despite the inconclusive end of the previous book, glaucon and adeimantus, plato s brothers, are eager to pursue the quest for the true nature of justice. In what follows, i will offer a brief overview of understanding plato s republic and then will look at two passages where santas s silence is most problematic, given his aim of explaining the republic s arguments about the nature and value of justice. Chapter summary for plato s the republic, book 1 summary. Socrates and glaucon are invited to polemarchus house by polemarchus and adeimantus. Socrates begins his reply to the brothers of plato by attempting to elucidate the argument, and he again employs an analogy.

The republic is one of the most important works about philosophy and politics in history, written by plato, one of socrates students in ancient greece, as a dialogue about justice and political systems. The product page names jhon duran as editortranslator but he is not credited anywhere in the book itself. One of the most famous discussions of justice occurs in book 2 of platos the republic where socrates interlocutor in the dialogue, glaucon, argues that there is no intrinsic reason to be just. Plato s book, the republic, expresses an argument or debate between aristotles son, glaucon, and philosopher socrates. It is also the closeness with god and the feeling that helping other is all you need for pleasure in your life. Describe the education of the guardians as it is presented in books 2 and 3 of plato s republic.

Our story begins as socrates and his friend glaucon head home from a festival. The argument defines the advantages and disadvantages of justice and injustice. Socrates, cephalus, polemarchus, and tharasymachus. Glaucon, a student of socrates, was not convinced enough by socrates argument against thrasymachus view of justice in book 1. The republic is arguably the most popular and most widely taught of plato s writings. It is known as a socratic dialogue and is perhaps one of. Summary and analysis of book 2 of plato s republic. Socrates begins his reply to the brothers of plato by attempting to elucidate the argument, and he again. The republic of plato is one of the classic gateway texts into the study and practice of philosophy, and it is just the sort of book that has been able to arrest and redirect lives.

Fragments of a different version of plato s republic were discovered in 1945, part of the nag hammadi library, written ca. Thrasymarchus, thug notes, 8bit philosophy, wisecrack, sparknotes, video sparknotes, academy of ideas, the school of. In book vii socrates continues work toward a more complete representation of the good. Since the midnineteenth century, the republic has been platos most famous and widely read dialogue. Get a detailed summary and analysis of every chapter in the book from. It is generally accepted that the republic belongs to the dialogues of platos middle period. The republic book x summary and analysis gradesaver. Probably in the dealing of these citizens with one another. This is the first part of the republic where we get some really interesting theory beyond just an argument for an utilitarian theory of. Although it contains its dramatic moments and it employs certain literary devices, it is not a play, a novel, a story. The republic, book i plato page 3 of 37 is a question which i should like to ask of you who have arrived at that time which the poets call the threshold of old age is life harder towards the end, or what report do you give of it. Youll also gain insight into the life and background of the author, plato, and understand his growth as a philosopher.

Glaucon, one of socratess young companions, explains what they would like him to do. Socrates believes that a city comes about because people cant survive on their own and need to form communities. Glaucon, eager to hear socrates demonstrate that justice is worthy of pursuit as both an end and as a means to an end, offers to play devils advocate and oppose his friend in order to resolve the debate once and for all. In platos early dialogues, socrates refutes the accounts of his. Pdf notes for a discussion of platos republic, books vx.