The Republic Flashcards
Thrasymachus
- Said that living an unjust life is better than a just life
- thought the definition of justice was that it was always in favor of the ruler or the stronger person
A city of pigs
Socrates’ first description of the perfect city it was really simple, only what people needed, peace and good health, sex and wine, life to ripe old age
Auxiliaries
soldiers whose only job is to fight
The Noble Falsehood
- everyone came from mother earth ( so one big happy family)
- people either had gold, silver or bronze in their veins
- made so that people wouldn’t question their place in the society/the caste system and wouldn’t fight with each other because they were all family
Tripartite soul
the soul had 3 parts:
- rational (decision making)
- Appetitive (moderation)
- spirited (emotional)
Philosopher king
Plato thought a philosopher should be king because they know truth and understand how the world works
Aristocracy /aristocratic soul
- This luxurious society is the aristocracy and it is a just society
- The soul mirrors the society which makes the soul also just ( this is the ideal )
Timocracy / timocratic soul
City: military rule, honor and love of victory.
The soul: ruled by spirited element, proud and honor- loving man who despises money as a young person, but loves money more and more as he gets older
Oligarchy / oligarchic soul
City: ruled by the rich, they value wealth. Based on exploitation of others, get beggars and thieves for the first time.
Soul: was humbled by poverty, satisfies only his necessary appetites- appetite part of the soul is in control
Democracy / Democratic soul
City: ruled by the people (lottery decides who rules; no one votes), everyone is equal but kind of unorganized because everyone was free, city is divided into 3 classes Soul: ruled by unnecessary desires, wasn’t in control changes life and desires frequently
Tyranny / tyrannical soul
City: ruled by one and only one, people are subjected to the harshest and most bitter slavery.
Soul: ruled by unlawful pleasures, will never have a taste of freedom, longer he remains a tyrant the more of a nightmare he becomes
How does socrates go against the definition of justice as
a) telling the truth and paying debts
b) helping your friends and harming your enemies
c) helping just people and harming unjust ones
a) refuted this by giving the example of borrowing a weapon from a sane friend and then giving it back to him when he was insane ( this would be unjust not just).
b) refuted this by saying if mistook your friends for your enemies and your enemies as your friends then you would be harming your friends and helping your enemies which is unjust
c) refuted this by saying harming anyone is unjust and justice is about not doing unjust things so to be just you can’t harm anyone
what do they tell socrates his proof (that being just is better than being unjust) must do?
they want Socrates to show that justice by itself (stripped of Its consequences) makes its possessor happier than injustice stripped of its consequences.
How are the guardians selected in the Kallipolis?
- Children are tested and observed at a young age to see if they are fit to rule. Children must be outstanding in every aspect – physical, mental, etc.
- they must perform tasks which intend to deceive them and then not be deceived
- Subject them to labors, pains, and contests in order to watch for the traits
What is plato’s analogy between the ideal state and the ideal soul? What is his definition of a just state and a just individual?
- Continuous cycle, when you are in harmony you can contribute to society in harmony. Justice for the city depends upon justice for the individual.
- A just state occurs when everyone is doing their part and performing their role. The individual has 3 parts (rational, spirited, appetitive) just like society (guardians, auxiliaries, producers) – so the society is at its best when everyone is doing their part within their caste/group.
- Justice is when the parts of your soul are all in harmony!
