Plato Flashcards
Oracle of Delphi - “No man is wiser than Socrates”. Why does this matter?
Introduce - When he’s defending himself against slander. Childhood friend.
- Oracle said no one is wiser.
- Socrates spoke to politicians and smart people and they all seemed overly confident in their knowledge.
- He realized he was smarter because he understood human wisdom to be worthless.
Conclude - He tried to justify his actions by saying he was doing a divine service. This made Plato skeptical of democracy.
The Defense of the Gadfly. What does it mean?
Introduce - In his defense, he compares himself to a gadfly.
- He is the insect, Athens is a great steed.
- He is always questioning the status quo and poking and prodding at institutions, like how a gadfly bites.
- The gadfly is important, as it sends fury into the seed, or helps Athens discover truth.
- Without criticism they won’t discover truth.
Conclude - they will be doing themselves disservice. Plato skeptical of democracy.
Present Socrates’ argument against justice as each given their due in the Republic.
Introduce - Polemarchus tells Socrates that justice is giving everyone their due.
- Socrates argues against this conventional view.
- Madman example
- Harming someone cannot possibly be just, so it is not this.
Conclude - this is a consequentialist argument. It sets foundation for rest of work, and is used again in the noble lie.
Present the origins, motive, and value for justice according to Glaucon.
Introduce - after Thrasymachus, Glaucon is dissatisfied with Socrates rebuttals. He continues the argument.
- Origins: they came about through mutual agreement
- Motive: not wanting to be invaded etc.
- Value: simply of instrumental value for the individual. Not of intrinsic value.
Conclude - this sets up Socrates rebuttal that is the thesis of the book - that the just man is happier, and justice has intrinsic value
The Ring of Gyges - Significance
Introduce - story told by Glaucon to present conventional justice to Socrates
- Simple shepherd who finds ring, becomes invisible.
- Crime spree, becomes King
- Proves that justice is just fear of punishment. Without fear, no justice.
- Shows a conventional, instrumental-value version of justice.
Conclude - sets up Socrates conclusion about justice = intrinsic value, just man = happy
Philosophers as Dogs
Introduce - in introducing the Guardian class, Socrates presents the notion that dogs are philosophers.
- Ability to distinguish friend and foe through knowledge is gifted with love of knowledge
- Wants duality to apply guardian class
- Forms and particular?? (Dogs can’t understand the form of evil, just particulars? idk look it up)
Conclude - This sets up his description of their living condition.
The Living Conditions of the Guardian class and its justifications
Introduce - Socrates says that states fail because of internal or external threats. Solution is guardian class.
- No family, property, or wealth
- Alliance only with state, no businessmen/tyranny, and no greed.
- Brings unity, division of labour, justice.
Conclude - Unity is a principle part of his ideal state. Strict rules for guardian class.
Present Socrates’ four cardinal virtues of the perfect state. What are they and where can they be found?
Introduce - Socrates tells Glaucon his state will be perfect because of 4 virtues.
1. Wisdom - found in guardian class
2. Courage - auxiliary class
3. Self-discipline - found when high human parts (reason) master lower parts (appetite/spirit). Also reflected in state hierarchy.
4. Justice - found in the proper division of labour.
Conclude - first explicit definition of his justice
The noble lie. What work is it doing?
Introduce - the state must propagate a noble lie.
- First, all are born out of mother earth.
- Second, three different metals, relates to their class.
- These will create a sense of together and unity while reinforcing necessary class divisions / justice.
Conclude - this shows his natural inequality, his consequentialism, and his justice.
Explain his claim that gender-based inequality violates his conception of justice.
Introduce - in explaining justice to Glaucon, he emphasizes class division. - He says within the guardian class, gender is immaterial, and precluding women from joining would violate justice, as they might be meant for the class. Conclude - very radical for the time. Shows his justice/consequentialism.
Present his one small change “without which there will be no end to the troubles of states.”
Introduce - discusses inevitable decline, but philosopher-kings.
- He believes their reason masters others
- Knowledge = truth = good
- People who don’t want to have power should have power
Conclude - represents his view on the relationship between knowledge and political authority
The Story of Leontius. What is it and what is it doing?
Introduce - Glaucon asks how one can be (not) motivated at the same time. Socrates tells story to Glaucon.
- Leontius walks past dead bodies on way to town, is disgusted, looks anyway.
- People have competing things (reason, etc.)
Conclude - shows his view of human nature. And is the framework through which he decides who should lead.
Present the role of the allegory of the cave in explaining the rule of the Philosopher-kings.
Introduce - Socrates tells Glaucon about human ontology.
- Prisoners staring at wall of shadows/particulars.
- Guy goes free realizes forms, and is exposed to the sun (truth).
- Goes back to tell others.
- This is the philosopher-king, he must lead because truth/forms.
Conclude - his justification of rule and stuff.
Present his cycle of corruption away from the ideal of the republic and leading to tyranny.
Introduce - Socrates to Glaucon - cycle.
- Timarchy (spirit)
- Oligarchy (appetite)
- Democracy (imbalance between three)
- Tyranny from demagoguery (undying appetite)
Conclude - theory of political history, determinism.
Conclude - Guardian class/philosopher kings will prevent cycle, but we all shall.
Explain his claim that the tyrant is the most abject slave.
Introduce - tells this to Glaucon
- Introduce three parts of soul
- Tyrant never satisfy appetite - masters others
- Tyrant in contrast to philosopher-kings
Conclude - inevitable outcome of democracy. Shows his view of human nature and overcoming the cycle.
