plato Flashcards
Who was Plato, and what shaped his political philosophy?
Plato (427-347 BCE) was an Athenian philosopher, student of Socrates, influenced by the execution of Socrates and the political turmoil of his time.
What historical events shaped Plato’s worldview?
The emergence of democracy, the Peloponnesian War, the rule of the Thirty Tyrants, and the restoration of democracy.
What is the central idea attributed to Socrates in Plato’s philosophy?
Humanity will not escape its problems until philosophers rule or rulers become philosophers.
What is the primary question in Plato’sThe Republic?
“What is justice?”
How does Cephalus define justice, and why does Plato reject this definition?
Justice as being honest and giving each their due; rejected for failing to specify what is “due.”
How does Polemarchus define justice, and why does Plato reject it?
Justice as doing good to friends and harm to enemies; rejected because it is not just to harm anyone.
How does Thrasymachus (1) define justice, and why is it dismissed?
Justice as the interest of the strongest; dismissed as incoherent.
How does Thrasymachus (2) define justice, and why is it rejected?
Justice as adherence to promises; rejected because unjust acts can sometimes be beneficial.
What analogy does Plato use to define justice?
The analogy between the city (polis) and the soul (psyche).
What are the three classes in Plato’s ideal city (Kallipolis)?
Rulers (philosopher-kings/queens), auxiliaries (soldiers), and producers (farmers, craftsmen).
What virtues correspond to the three classes inKallipolis?
Wisdom for rulers, courage for auxiliaries, and temperance for all classes.
How is justice achieved in the ideal city?
When each class performs its proper function without interfering with others.
What are the three parts of the soul in Plato’s philosophy?
Reason (logos), spirit (thymos), and appetite (epithymia).
How is justice achieved in the soul?
When reason governs, spirit supports reason, and desire is controlled.
What are the parallels between the city and the soul in terms of justice?
Justice in the city involves harmony among classes, while justice in the soul involves harmony among its parts.
What is Plato’s theory of forms?
A two-world ontology where the sensory world is variable and deceptive, while the world of forms is everlasting, true, and unchangeable.
What is the highest form in Plato’s metaphysics?
The Form of the Good, the source of order and happiness.
What is the Allegory of the Cave, and what does it represent?
A metaphor for the difference between the sensory world and the world of forms, emphasizing the role of thought and philosophy in reaching true understanding.
Who should rule Plato’s ideal city, and why?
Philosopher-kings/queens, as they possess reason and wisdom.
What is the role of the ‘noble lie’ inKallipolis?
To maintain social order and unity, such as the myth of metals to justify social hierarchy.
What is Plato’s view of freedom in the ideal city?
True freedom is freedom from one’s own appetites; positive freedom is striving to reach one’s best potential.
What are the four types of unjust cities, according to Plato?
Timocracy (rule by honor), oligarchy (rule by the wealthy), democracy (rule by the people), and tyranny (rule by an oppressive leader).
Why is Plato ambivalent about democracy?
He admires its diversity and freedoms but criticizes its instability due to uncontrolled desires.
How does Plato describe censorship inKallipolis?
Censorship is used to control art and stories, promoting only moral narratives and avoiding depictions of the unjust as happy.
What does temperance mean in Plato’s philosophy?
Harmony among all parts of the city or soul, where all agree on who should rule.
What is the role of courage in the city and the soul?
Courage is the virtue of auxiliaries and the spirited element, upholding convictions and supporting reason.
How does Plato define wisdom in the city and the soul?
Wisdom is the virtue of rulers and the rational element, enabling good decisions and governance.
How does Plato’s philosophy apply to modern scenarios like climate change?
Plato’s ideas suggest justifying actions, even through fabricated news, to achieve moral goals, raising questions about ethics in governance.
What is the difference between positive and negative freedom in Plato’s view?
Positive freedom is the freedom to become one’s best self, while negative freedom is freedom from external constraints.
