plato Flashcards
What is platos idea of justice?
- being honest and giving gods & men what is due to them
- whatever is in the interest of the stronger
- helping friends hurting enemies
Problems at his time:
Wide gap between rich and poor
Relativist
No truths are certain or permanent
Absolutists
There is and always has been a real truth (Plato was an absolutist)
Sophist
Leading people to change their public opinions (Plato hated them)
Plato’s view of democracy?
Hates it bc people are stupid and easily persuaded by sophists
Specialization:
Collective good > individual needs
Allegory of the cave
The cave, people not believing, u know
What are the 3 classes?
Rulers, auxiliaries, workers
Worker duty:
Provide the material needs for the republic. Largest and politically lowest class. Seek wealth and material items. Allowed to marry.
Auxiliaries duty:
Courage is the most important attribute. Protect the republic from outside forces. Carry out decisions of the rulers internally
Rulers duty:
No families, no luxuries
Plato’s role of women:
Women are equal and some aspects of republic and they can be an auxiliary only if they give up everything that makes them feminine
Decline of the republic
Timocracy – auxiliaries take over, oligarchy – rule of the wealthy, democracy – rule of the many, chaos and rear anarchy (no Public Safety or common structures)
The three parts of the soul
Rational, appetite, and spirit
