...The Republic There is no doubt that The Republic by Plato has helped developed the foundation of ethics. Since the main theme of The Republic is focused on the nature of Justice, it is ideal to say that ethics, which is based on the principles of regulating the distribution of social benefits and its burdens deals directly with the issue of what is fairness or not in our society(Norman, 83). Plato makes a lot of interesting arguments in The Republic regarding the issues of ethics. Plato was more focused on debunking theories that have been promoted by Cephalus, Thrasymachus, and Glaucon. Because Plato believed that their theories are focused on a single component, and that is they considered justice as something external. In other words, they perceive justice as an achievement or a convention they have, none of them carried it into the soul or considered it in place of its habitation (Bhandari). And in making his case, Plato argued that justice does not depend upon a chance, convention or upon external force. He sees it as the right condition of the human soul by the very nature of man when seen in the fullness of his environment. For Plato, this observation is important because justice is internal since it resides within the soul. First, the part I find fascinating relates to the reconciliation of nature and convention. I do believe this argument is vulnerable because, if justice is indeed comparable to health, then moral virtuousness should be something that we need just...
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...dialogues of Socrates by Plato take into account that democracy is actually inefficient and undermines the true values of their citizens. Plato’s best known and comprehensive work is the Republic. He criticized democracy as an inadequate form of government because it caused corruption of people through public opinions and created rulers whose main concern it to the ability to influence its citizen rather than being knowledgeable of proper rulership. Therefore, this government is capable of molding the perception and ideas of the citizens. According to Plato, democratic governance is a poor form of government due to the focus on self-interest rather than the welfare of society as a whole. In this essay, Plato’s background, views on politics will be presented first; then, his in-depth opinion of democracy and what he believed to be an ideal society. Plato wrote, in his autobiography Seventh Letter, that he could not identify himself with any political parties because they were heavily engage in corrupted activities. However, it was due to the execution of Socrates that provided Plato with the assurance that the existing governments were fallacious without any possible reparation. He perceived politics as unhealthy and wanted to achieve an eradication of politics. According to Plato, society can possibly be harmonious, productive, and obtain sustainable social living if liberated from politics. Through politics, citizens have a tendency to seek justice from elected officials and...
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...Just individuals : In his book ‘The Republic’, Plato searches for justice within the individual and what makes a person ‘just’. By comparing his sense of what is just at a political level and what is just at a psychological level he suggests three virtues of the individual which will make that particular person just. The virtues of wisdom, courage and moderation are common to both a just and the fictional just city of Kallipolis. This artificial city has the pre-determined virtue of being just – he does this in order to understand what justice is for the individual because Plato thinks that ‘a just man won’t differ at all from a just city in respect to the form of justice; rather he’ll be like the city.’ (Republic 435b) In the just city Plato creates three classes: the producers, the guardians and the rulers. Each of these three classes has a certain virtue it has to display to fulfill the ‘just city’ pre-requisite that Plato has placed upon Kallipolis. The rulers are required to exhibit wisdom so that ‘a whole city established according to nature would be wise because of the smallest class and part in it, namely the governing or ruling one. And to this class, belongs a share of the knowledge that alone among all the other kinds of knowledge is to be called wisdom.’ (428e-429a) The wisdom enjoyed by the rulers would be used to ensure that the city has ‘good judgement and [be] really wise.’ (428d) The guardians (soldiers) of Kallipolis would be educated in order to absorb...
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...Plato’s Republic and Machiavelli’s The Prince are each hugely important texts in the history of philosophy. Even though they were written approximately 1900 years apart, they represent two of the most valuable commentaries on political philosophy. They are of course, very different in their discussions of philosophy, yet some similarities are evident. Plato writes about philosophy through the mouth of Socrates, illustrating indirectly through a lengthy dialogue his own ideas and opinions. As a contrast to this method of narration, Machiavelli writes The Prince as a letter of personal advice to Lorenzo Medici. Within his work, Machiavelli makes numerous recommendations that have earned him the label of a heartless and cruel man. Plato, on the other hand, makes much of his discussion about the true nature of philosophy and the just treatment of all citizens. Despite numerous differences, Plato and Machiavelli each desire the rule of philosophers in their states, but while Plato approaches this with direct rule and education of philosopher-kings, Machiavelli appeals to manipulation and deceit in order to secure the rule of philosophers. Plato’s aim in his political state is for the greatest good of all people, through the best balancing of the natural elements on an individual and political scale. According to Plato, the human soul is comprised of the reasoning part, the spirited part and the appetites. The parallel elements within a city are the rulers, warriors and artisans...
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...POLITICAL JUSTICE, AND DEMOCRACY: Understanding Plato's Criticism Fall 2015 Mahlou Ryme Dr. Jacques Carlos Flores Philosophical Thought School of Humanities and Social Sciences Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane Essay Question 3: ------------------------------------------------- Plato’s defines political justice as each social class doing what it is supposed to do according to its nature and function within society. This definition then serves as the basis for his criticism of democracy. Critically evaluate Plato’s criticism of democracy. Throughout the course of history, every nation has struggled at some point in choosing the correct form of government that is most adequate to its functioning. Depending on many variables such as human and natural resources, geography, and diplomacy, each state has selected a political system that ranges from totalitarian regimes to mass democracies. Centuries before that, philosophers were debating about the significance of each form of government. Although modern political studies assert that democracy is the best form of government as it gives the power to people, some historic thinkers had their criticisms about the democratic approach and its incompatibility with the factual meaning of political justice. Plato was one of the most pivotal figures of philosophical thoughts that still have an impact on modern thinking. He was one of the philosophers who criticized the pure democracy pledging that it is governed by mass...
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...Political Science 201 November 12, 2013 Anna Umstead Plato and Aristotle, arguably two of the most influential Greek philosophers, discussed their differing views on virtue extensively throughout many of their works. Although they agree that virtue is a desirable characteristic that will lead to happiness, the ultimate good, there exists between the two philosophies salient differences. While Plato believes only philosophers are capable of true, inherent virtue, Aristotle believes all men can be virtuous with practice and dedication. GREAT. WAY TO GET TO THE POINT. BE SURE TO MENTION WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE ARGUING THAT VIRTUE IS INTRINSICALLY GOOD. HAVE IT SMACK ME IN THE FACE IT'S SO OBVIOIUS. (LIKE THAT TYPO). Plato’s Republic contains one of the greatest recorded discussions on the nature of justice. His definition of justice can be interpreted today as virtue, or the proper working of the soul. Plato argues in this work that virtue is inherently good only when it is manifest in the perfectly ordered soul of the philosopher. This philosopher is born just and inherently good, thereby making him the only individual capable of loving and seeking after virtue completely. …..... I'M GUESSING THIS ATTACHES TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH? AND I'M NOT SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT “BORN JUST”. REMEMBER, IT ISN'T “INBORN” BUT IT IS NATURAL. YOU AREN'T BORN THAT WAY. YOU TEND TOWARDS IT, THOUGH. Only through virtue, or justice as he calls it, can a man receive happiness, and this hints at the inherent...
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...The Republic penned by Plato in 380 BC provides an interpretation and information regarding the different dimensions of the society and the ways through which justice, forms of government and theory of universals can be explained. It is primarily on the basis of these themes using which Plato has been able to publish and base his one of the most prominent works written in the field of philosophy and social justice. In addition to this it is also important to mention here that the Republic is basically a Socratic dialogue based on the conversations that Socrates had with his ideologues which have been narrated by Plato. During the course of this discussion we will be looking at some of the fundamental themes that have been discussed in this work and the nature of message and idea that they intend to deliver to us through them. Definition of Justice This particular theme of defining justice has been provided in the first book in which Socrates provides two definitions of justice but both are deemed as inadequate and irrelevant. Some of the generic definitions that are provided regarding justice are the fact that must return the debts he owned from somebody and he must help his friends in time of need while trying to harm his enemies. Towards the end of the first book Socrates in his dialogue does agree with the notion presented by Polemarchus that justice includes helping friends, however, Socrates was of the opinion that a man of justice would not think of harming anyone...
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...Compare and Contrast Plato and Aristotle on governance Plato and Aristotle were both philosophers from Greece who criticized democracy as a poor form of government. Plato is regarded as the first writer of political philosophy, and Aristotle is recognized as the first political scientist. These two men were great political thinkers. There are a lot of differences between the two even though Aristotle was a great student of Plato. They each had ideas of how to improve existing societies during their individual lifetimes. It is necessary to look at several areas of each theory to seek the difference in each. Plato’s thoughts on democracy were that it causes the corruption of people through public opinion and creates rulers who do not actually knowhow to rule but only know how to influence the “beast” which is the Demos, the public. Aristotle’s views about democracy hold that democratic office will cause corruption in the people, if the people choose to redistribute the wealth of the rich they will end up destroying the state and since the people have no knowledge about governance when they elect rulers they will err. The “Republic” of Plato created a country with strict hierarchy. It has a rigorous legal system and a sound education system. All public good, servicers and desires are controlled by the country. It has its own advantages such as the idealized organized national order, and discussion of country’s justice and individual’s justice;, but it also has its shortcomings...
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...Many have proclaimed that Plato is making normative claims whereas, Thucydides is making empirical claim. I will address Thucydides versus Plato on the nature of the Good Life, as well as the truth about Thucydides. Thucydides and Plato have different views in their approach to the good life. Thucydides empirical claims , and dismissal of “right & justice” is best known from his famous writings “ The Peloponnesian war.” Whereas, Plato’s normative claims is best known in his writings in “The Republic.” In the Republic Plato states that the proper function of a man is his soul, to live with justice and obtain a harmonious life. The basic concept of Plato's theory about the good life is built on the concept that everything has a purpose, a job, a function. Plato believed that a man’s role is determine by nature, and man cannot decide for themselves what their function may be. In the Republic Plato discusses the proper use of function of man. It is his soul and to live with justice, and obtain a sense of harmony and unity. Lisa H. Newton stated,“in the greatest of all works of philosophy, Plato offers an elegant proof of the proposition: that whether or not the world recognizes and rewards virtue, the just person is the happiest of human beings.” However, I find in today’s society that most just people are not the wealthiest people. Somehow it is a trade off: just and poor, unjust wealthy. Thucydides would definitely disagree with the idea of universal truth of what...
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...Written by Plato, The Republic strives to answer the question ‘What is Justice?’ Unlike other dialogues starring Socrates, The Republic provides an answer for the question being posed, instead of leaving readers puzzled. Using Socrates as a mouth piece, Plato creates a formula to define justice using an ideal society, the soul of an individual in an ideal society, and the greek social virtues. By using a mathematical argument to link the tasks in society, with the parts of the soul, and matching them to social virtues, Plato is able to provide an acceptable definition of justice that embodies both the ideals of a society and of an individual. In order to locate justice, Plato performs a though experiment where he creates an ideal society. In the ideal society everyone has a merit-based assignment. Plato states that in the perfect society there are three categories of people. There are the rulers, the auxiliaries, and the craftsmen. The rulers are in charge of ruling the ideal society, the auxiliaries are in charge of policing the ideal society, and the craftsmen are in charge of creating the basic tools to fulfill society’s needs. In Greece many accept that in an ideal society there are four standard virtues: wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. Plato argues that since his society is ideal the standard virtues must be within the society. He also argues that if we are able to locate the standard values in society we will be able to locate justice. Plato uses an elimination...
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...of justice is and how it relates to us in the real world. My personal impression of justice was doing what was expected of you by society and suffering the consequences for committing injustice. But this issue is far more complex than as we found out in reading The Republic Of Plato. In the republic, Plato speaks though his teacher Socrates and sets out to try and find the answers to two questions; what is justice and why should we be just? Looking at the Republic as a work on justice, we first have to ask ourselves why does justice have to be defended. Thrasymachus makes it clear that justices is not considered to be universally beneficial. For as long as their has been ethical thought, there has been people who have this idea that it is better to look after ones own interest then to follow rules of right and wrong. The Greeks concept of justices came from poets that would link ideas and thoughts into stories relating to the gods. In their eyes Zeus rewarded those who are good and punishes those who are bad. Not many agreed with this idea because they could see unjust men flourishing and people of Athens. Leading the controversial argument on justice were people called Sophists and their idea of justice, as we discussed in class, was we should be unjust if it is beneficial. In the Republic on page 15 Thrasymachus gives his opinion on justices stating, “I say that the just is nothing other than the advantage of the stronger”. What exactly does Thrasymachus mean by justice is nothing...
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...even if he or she does not as if the way of ruling is their own country. The problem of state was the topic of researches and thoughts for different famous people of ancient and modern time. Two of the greatest philosophers Aristotle and Plato devoted great part of their philosophic researches to the topic of conception of the state and political freedom. Let us compare and contrast their conceptions. A man named Aristotle who was a Greek Truth-seeker, a logician, and a scientist has a teacher named Plato. Aristotle is widely known as the most prominent olden philosopher in many areas of philosophy, together with political hypothesis. His life appears to have inclined his political notion in different conduct: his biological interest has mixed in his political life. Also, his political interest and his compassion for the democratic system like dominion perhaps have been optimistic by his experience of various political systems; he condemned severely, while borrowing widely, from his teacher’s (Plato) democracy, statesman, and laws; moreover, his own political affairs is proposed to help rulers and statesmen, showing the main political systems that he moved. Plato wrote a Socratic discussion called “The Republic” about the meaning of justice and the category and behavior of the present city and the present man. His best and most popular work, proved one of the academically and historically prominent works of philosophy and political hypothesis. In his work, many Athenians and...
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...common base i.e. optimism for the betterment of society. Plato in The Republic speaks about the ideal virtues of the soul and Davetian goes on to tell us the current problems with American civility. I think what we can take from both readings is a sense that human intellect and virtue can and will ultimately lead us to a better society. To fully understand the basic concepts of societal values that should be understood, and in turn followed, The Republic (Plato, Reprinted 1985) is an important piece of literature. Written almost as a transcript of conversations between Glaucon, Adeimantis and Socrates, one mustn't be fooled by the casual appearance of the texts, as they carry some important and relevant material. Through my readings and understanding of Book 2, 3 and 4, I was able to grasp the basic theme of the texts i.e. Justice and Injustice, correspondingly, Virtue and Vice and the concepts that follow. By observing virtues on a large scale, through the idealized behaviour of society as a whole, Plato was able to use those very observations to determine and guide the behaviour of individuals. As stated in Book 2, Section 369, " Let us first inquire into the nature of justice and injustice in the city and only after that in the individual." This statement paved the way for further observations on issues of morality, the common good, structure of our soul and more. Book 2 begins with discussing the nature of justice and its origin (358E) as Glaucon revives Thrasymachus'...
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...Justice has always been an interesting topic for philosophers and also for ordinary people. Justice can be defined briefly as “the fairness in the way that people are treated” (Collins Cobuild, p. 910). Plato and Aristotle, two leading figures of ancient Greek civilization, were earliest philosophers who thought about justice and developed theories about the sublime aspects of being just. This assignment is an attempt to prove that pursuing a life of justice would make living more worthwhile than being unjust or a combination of just and unjust life. In order to reach this point, I am going to explain the concept of justice and its superior aspects from the perspective of both Plato and Aristotle by taking help from their famous works “The Republic” and “The Nicomachean Ethics”. I will also give place to counter arguments and their rebuttals. I will make my own comments at the final part of the assignment. Plato (427 BC-347 BC) was one of the earlier and most important philosophers of the world and is also known as the founder of “The Academy”. Plato’s most famous work is “The Republic” in which he tries to draw the qualities of a just individual and a just state by explaining the sublime nature of justice. In the first two books of The Republic, dialogues between different characters focus on different meanings of justice. During the conversation two conventional definitions of justice (“giving a man’s due” and “doing good to your friends, harm to your enemies”) are refuted...
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...first was thinking of questions I had that desperately needed answering. I wondered about how society has continued to evolve despite civil unrest and violence. Justice, I observed has remained constant through all of the changes earth has faced. However, I noticed the moral concept of justice has changed. It was then I developed my overarching question; What is the impact of justice in the evolution of society? To answer my question, I took a philosophical approach. I used The Republic, by Plato, which essentially is a series of conversations between Plato, and his teacher Socrates. To contrast this book I chose Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, which also discusses both justice and the concept of vengeance. In Plato’s The Republic, Plato raises the question; What is Justice? His teacher, Socrates attempts to explain justice to him through a series of nonsensical comments....
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