Plato's Republic Flashcards
What is the key year associated with the composition of this seminal work in Western philosophy?
Composed around 380 BCE
What central theme does this work delve into?
The nature of justice, the structure of an ideal society, and the philosopher’s role within it
What method does the dialogue employ to explore philosophical concepts?
The Socratic method
Define the Socratic Method.
Philosophy through conversation, exposing assumptions and contradictions
What is the central argument regarding education and censorship?
Education should begin with censorship of certain stories to ensure only morally beneficial content is presented to the youth
List the key terms identified in the text.
- Universal
- False
- Habituation
- Justice
What does Plato critique about poets in his work?
He critiques poets for depicting the gods in ways that may corrupt moral understanding
How does Plato’s view contrast with that of the Sophists?
Plato emphasizes absolute truths, while the Sophists hold relativistic views
What is the ‘noble lie’ as discussed in Book III?
A myth told to maintain social harmony and justify the class structure within the state
What type of training does Plato emphasize for the guardian class?
Moral and physical training
What is the significance of music and gymnastics in education according to Plato?
They cultivate harmony and discipline
What does the Allegory of the Cave illustrate?
The philosopher’s journey from ignorance to enlightenment
What does the Theory of Forms represent?
The belief in abstract, perfect ideals that transcend the physical world
Describe the concept of imitation as discussed in Book 10.
Under a single form or idea, multiplicities follow, yet are still called under the same name in a collective
What is the argument regarding the three beds?
God’s bed => Carpenter’s bed => Painter’s bed
True or False: Plato believes that the carpenter makes a real bed.
False
What does Plato argue about the nature of reality and imitation?
The carpenter’s work is only a facsimile and not reality
What is the focus of the Socratic method?
Focus on questions and refutation
Complete the quotation: ‘Then our program of education must begin with _______.
[censorship]
What does Plato say about the training of the soul compared to the body?
The training of the soul is far more important than the training of the body
What does Plato express anger towards regarding poets?
Poets who write lines about the gods that could be deemed harmful
What is the consequence of lacking education according to the Allegory of the Cave?
It affects our nature and understanding of reality
What does Plato suggest about knowledge in relation to original forms?
Knowledge of both original and likeness is attained through one and the same kind of study and discipline
