Plato Flashcards
What are the key themes of Plato?
1, Justice according to the Sophists (Protagoras and Thrasymachus)
2. Theory of the soul
3, Division of labour
4, Justice in context
5.Allegory of the cave
6.Role of education
7.Philosophers as rulers
What is the main question of Sophists?
Is it truly better ‘to act in accordance with justice in society?
How does Protagoras anwser the main question of the sophists?
- Acting justly is taught in society, so living in a particular society will teach you how to be just.
- All people can reach at least a basic level of justice.
- Some people have a greater talent for this and excel Because of their talent, they act even more justly,
How does Thrasymachus anwser the main question of the sophists?
- Justice is to the advantage Of the stronger, While weaker people in society just have to abide by justice.
- Injustice is more beneficial
How did Socrates redefined justice?
He redefined justice by making it intrinsically valuable. This means that justice is valuable in itself and not when it is used to reach another goal.
What is the brief history of Socrates?
Socrates questioned the skill to argue and wanted that people find the truth. He was hated by the authorities and executed in 399 BC after his trial. Socrates was killed for asking philosophical questions. All we know about Socrates is written by his disciples/pupils, among Plato.
What is the brieg history of Plato?
Plato lived from 427-347 BCE. He was an aristocrat and an unsuccessful political advisor. He turned away from politics and *went into the real philosophical questions, He wrote 35 dialogues and 13 letters.
Plato is the founder of which philosophical school?
The academy
What is told in plato’s book the Republic?
book The Republic serves as a blueprint for the Kallipolis, the utopian city-state Socrates describes in the book, a beautiful and idealist state.
What is the setting of Politeia book 1?
A religious festival and the city (politics) so, philosophy takes place between religion and politics. Dialogue is the right way to come closer to the truth, “The forceless force of the better argument.”
What is the key question asked in Politeia book 1
What is justice
What is justice according to Cephalus?
To keep promises, speak the truth, be an honest person
What is justice according to Polemarchus?
Harm/punish enemies, benefit/help friends
What is justice acording to Thrasymachus?
In interest of the stronger, plus: injustice is beneficial
What discusses politeia one further more?
Acknowledging the problem; a reply to Thrasymachus. How can we prove that justice is more/something else ‘than the interest of the strong and injustice is not beneficial for you? The rest of the book is an answer to that.
What is in Politeia book two
Deepening the problem of Thrasymachus in politeia one:
Is justice good for its own sake? Or because it is beneficial? Or both?
Who wrote Politeia two?
Glaucon & Adeimantus
What is the first example in politeia book two?
The story of the Ring of Gyges: the ring makes you an invisible person and then you can do whatever you like. If you have the ring, would everyone abuse it? When they’re not doing it, is it because of the punishment, Or do you think justice is good for its own sake?
What is the second example in politeia book two?
Imagine that there is a miserable just man. He is put into prison. Is this man better off than an unjust person that is not?
The way towards a solution: first, study justice on a big scale in the state city within speech), then in the soul (back to the individual person). First, you need to know what a just state is, then you can know what a just person is
How does plato see rulling?
The people who vote, aren’t trained in ruling, so it is stupid that everyone can vote.
The character of the state depends on the character (soul) of its rulers and vice versa. If liberal democracy is the best type of regime, then according to Plato the rulers of liberal democracy should be the best type of rulers. Or is the system much better than our rulers? is this true? Do you see a connection between the system and its rulers? It is a crucial idea.
In what three parts did Plato divided the book Soul?
- Rational
- Spirited (bravery)
- Desiring
How is justice portrayed in the book Soul?
Justice was understood as having self-discipline and letting “the rational part govern ‘the soul’
How is the tripartite of the soul reflected in real life
In the division of labour
Who are the rational people?
The philosophers who were supposed to rule over the city.
composed by:
- Selection and breeding
- Education and training
Who are the spirited people?
The guardians, mostly soldiers. whom who protected and defended the city.
Who are the desiring people?
formed the lowest class and had mainly an economic function, having to produce goods.
How does the state pyramid look like?
- Rules
- Auxilaries
- workers
= Harmony
how does the Virtues pyramid look like?
- Rulers rule by guidece by PRUDENCE
practical wisdom and reason. - Auxiliaries (warriors)driven by will power, courage and spirit (thymos)
- Workers are driven by temperance and desires
= Justice
How is the perfect city ruled?
Kallipolis is ruled by arstocracy (commom good)
How does plato’s tier list of rulling systems look like?
A. Aristocray, driven by wisdom
B. Timocracy, driven by Honor (wealthy fuckers)
C. Oligarchy, driven by Money
D Democracy, driven by pleasures
E. Tyranny, driven by selfishness
What are the three virtues of democracy according to Plato?
Liberty, diversity and equality
What are the three virtues of democracy according to Plato?
Liberty, diversity and equality
How does plato view the democratic man?
Dominated by two ideas: freedom and equality
A man spending his money and labour and time on unnecessary pleasures quite as much as on necessary ones.
What are three conclusion of platos fourth book?
- Tyrant is most unhappy. The more just a ruler, the happier.
- Among lovers of wisdom, honor, and money, only the first one can judge the other two and hence must be believed.
- Rule of reason gives pleasure to all parts of the soul (and of the state), while the alternatives do not
