PLATO

Question 1

BEST FORM OF STATE?

Answer 1

Not democracy-> greed politicians—>.: pols and ec must be separated

Question 2

WHY POLITICS GO WRONG?

Answer 2

Poor decisions and error in judgement that leads to tyranny

Question 3

WHAT POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE DOES PLATO TAKE? EXPLAIN

Answer 3

Normative

He spends time asking how things should be

Question 4

PROBLEM OF RELATIVISM VERSUS SUBJECTIVISM

Answer 4

Both assume no absolute standard of right and wrong

Both deny objectivity of values and standards

Question 5

WHY IS THE REPUBLIC HIS GREATEST WORK?
WHAT PERSPECTIVE DOES IT TAKE? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
HOW IS IT WRITTEN?
WHERE IS IT SET?

Answer 5

Greatest work bc synthesis of his thought + complete Phil.
Normative->.:value laden->what is justice?
Written in dialogue
Set in polis

Question 6

WHAT QUESTION DOES THE REPUBLIC TRY ANSWER?
THROUGH HIS STUDY OF POLITICS PLATO CAME TO CONCLUSION?
WHAT MAKES POLITICS JUST?
IF JUSTICE FORM HUMAN NATURE…?

Answer 6

What is the best form of pol org?
Study of pols led him to concl that philosophers must be rulers
Pols =nat part human nature->the pol that suit our nature=the just one
If justice form of hum nat then it objective->bc applies everyone, .:only 1 standard truth

Question 7

WHEN POLITICAL JUSTICE ACHIEVED?
‘NO 2 ARE ALIKE, WE EACH HAVE DIFFERENT APTITUDES THAT FIT US FOR DIFFERENT JOBS’ EXPLAIN THIS QUOTE
HOW ACHIEVE JUST CITY?
IS OUR NATURE FIXED? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Answer 7

Pol justice only achieved when Phil are rulers.
No 2 are exactly alike, we have diff aptitude’s, that fit us for diff jobs ->diff capacities->nat DOL->each suited to diff jobs->specialisation 1 job.
Just city through ideal DOL.
Nature is fixed->.:pols come nat to human

Question 8

WHO SHOULD RULE?

WHEN IS HARMONY ACHIEVED?

Answer 8

Systematic philosophical evidence why guardians should rule:
>Guardians= Auxiliary and Proper
»A=soldiers; spirit part of soul
»GP= philosopher kings; reason part of soul; rulers
>Artisans=ec activity->membership by specialisation
Harmony depends on each part agreeing who should rule and be ruled->best ruling worst.
Justice=everyone perf own task w/i city->best suited task
Democracy=unjust bc liberty violates specialisation->creating unjust order

Question 9

NATURE OF JUSTICE?
CARDINAL VIRTUES?
FACILITATES JUSTICE?

Answer 9

Nature of justice=obscure
4 cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, moderation and justice (bc it exhibits and ensures preservation of other 3)
DOL facilitates justice
Justice for person and state=same

Question 10

THEORY OF FORMS

Answer 10

Philosophers have knowledge of forms->experienced world v real world
Knowledge of forms=highest knowledge->leads to knowledge of form of good
Philosophers understand bc souls of reason
Ruling= technical skill needs knowledge, wisdom, moderation, courage and justice