Essays and criticism on plato s plato s republic critical essays. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the republic. The republic plato the republic literature essays are academic essays for citation. The republic has been divided into the following sections. The republic is a book that showed views of justice and questions of justice. Shall we, then, use these very examples in our quest for the true nature of this. Textual analysis i will discuss the extract 557a to 561e from book viii of the republic by plato, arguing that although the points laid out are logical and at least party valid, the overall argument, that the order of the city takes precedence over the freedom or perhaps even the happiness of the people is. The republic itself is nothing at the start of platos most famous and influential book. Justice in platos republic plato republic presents the concepts of psychic justice and psychic virtue. Socrates walks to the athens harbor, the piraeus, with glaucon, platos brother. The philosopher socrates has now defined what a philosopher is. Platos the republic books 6 through 10 platos the republic books 6 through 10 in books 6 through 10 of platos republic, we see many different discussions on the subject of justice, philosophy, and goodness. A macat analysis of platos republic audiobook by james.
Examines platos model of the soul, theory of the ideal state, concepts of justice and fairness, and ideas on family and education. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. Platos republic free essay examples and research papers. The author focuses on the book the republic by plato in which he pulls together many of the ideas of his mentor, socrates, to present his idea of the realities of life.
Mills ethic of choice transcends plato s doctrine of justice. It is known as a socratic dialogue and is perhaps one of platos best known works. If you choose this option you will be expected to write a standard essay with an introduction paragraph, four topic paragraphs and a conclusion that summarises the important parts of platos republic. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Plato is among the most renowned ancient greek philosophers who made a significant contribution towards intellectual and historical works of political theory and philosophy. Its going to be a challengeits a challenge for everybody since the republic is primarily a work of philosophy, there isnt much of a conventional plot to move you along. This textual analysis will be based on the book the republic by plato, specifically the passage 475d477a. The purpose of this essay is to analyze and evaluate the main concepts explored in the passage and their relation to the platonic political philosophy presented in the republic. It is an example of how the republics epistemology, metaphysics, and psychology can be used to o. Many commentators have analyzed book 10 in order to fill out an account of. Socrates has now completed the main argument of the republic. Platos most famous work is undoubtedly the republic it has weathered the test of time to provide us with the. The republic by plato the purpose of the republic by plato is to explain, define and seek the true definition of justice and highlight the flaws of.
Of the five character types that he describes in detail, with whom is erotic desire most closely associated. The republic is undoubtedly one of platos masterworks and one of the most influential and widely read books in the history of philosophy. To therejectionof imitativepoetry,whichcertainlyought not to be received. Join now to read essay platos republic and other term papers or research documents. Our story begins as socrates and his friend glaucon head home from a festival.
In book v of the republic plato 427d449a plato states that the city is the best and in order for it to be the best the virtues of wisdom, courage, moderation and justice have to be plain to see. Despite the inconclusive end of the previous book, glaucon and adeimantus, platos brothers, are eager to pursue the quest for the true nature of justice. Res publica is a socratic dialogue, authored by plato around 375 bc, concerning justice. The republic book x summary and analysis gradesaver. Socrates says a just lifes chief reward comes in the after life. Glaucon asks if socrates believes the soul lives on after the body. Mills ethic of choice transcends platos doctrine of justice. Ready to call it a night, theyre intercepted by a whole gang of their acquaintances, who eventually convince them to come hang out at polemarchuss house and have a nice, long chat. Reviewed by nickolas pappas, city university of new york in the past few years, the republic s readers have already been lucky enough to see two other fine anthologies dedicated to that dialogue. He turns back to the postponed question concerning poetry about human beings. Platos republic book 10 ideas, things, imitations, and. Summary and analysis of book 10 of platos republic. Socrates glaucon of he many excellences which i perceive in the order of our state, there is none which upon reflection pleases me better than the rule about poetry. Some scholars go so far as to say that the book is primarily about something other than justice.
It is known as a socratic dialogue and is perhaps one of plato s best known works. We are now presented with the entire program of study for the heads of state in the ideal state, and we are reminded again that these young candidates must be of high moral character and industry. Relate this to his discussion of sexual activity in book iii. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this plato s republic study guide and get instant. All you have is the abstract thoughtprocesses of socrates to keep you on track. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Free plato essays and papers free essays, term papers. The metaphysical and mythical aspects of platos philosophy are also described in relation to the theory of the good and forms.
They join thrasymachus and polemarchus father, cephalus. Socrates asks cephalus if age is as much a hardship as people say. Three messages from republic 15 in depth analysis of three important messages from platos republic philosophical texts are very important to humanity. Also, a discussion of aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny. This is different from what in normally observed as justice and virtue. It is platos bestknown work, and has proven to be one of the worlds most influential works of philosophy and political theory, both intellectually. One of the most influential works of political theory ever written, the federalist papers collects 85 essays from 1787 and 1788, when the united states was a new country looking to find its way politically. You may submit a 600 word plus or minus 10% summary of book ii of platos republic. In book two, socrates, thrasymachus and adeimantus decide to focus on a. While the republic is a book concerned with justice, it also addresses many other topics. The explanations of platos position on the location of the virtues, how they are parts of the. Also, a discussion of art, poetry, tragedy, and the just life.
The introduction 54k book i 99k book ii 92k book iii 109k book iv 93k book v 112k book vi 95k book vii 92k book viii 92k book ix 76k. Socrates argues that the soul cannot be destroyed by its particular evil, as other things are, since death does not make one more unjust. The republic book x great books of the western world. Textual analysis of the extract 557a to 561e from book viii of the republic by plato. Cephalus says old age brings peace from appetites and passions and is not much harder to bear than. Readers here should be sure to coordinate platos remarks on poetry with the commentary in book 3, which constitutes the first phase of the discussion as the discussion unfolds in book 10, it turns out socratess most forceful charge against poetry is it is. At the beginning of book 10, socrates returns to his frontal assault on the status and role of poetry in the ideal state. The first five chapters of the second book of aristotles politics contain a series of criticisms levelled against plato s republic. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the republic and what it means.
The republic literature essays are academic essays for citation. Despite the abundance of studies that have been done on aristotles politics, these chapters have for the most part been neglected. Critic allan bloom, for instance, reads the book first and foremost as. Glaucon takes the lead, first discoursing on justice as a mean or compromise, whereby men agree laws must intervene in order to prevent the excessive doing or suffering of evil. Platos republic has proven to be of astounding influence and importance. In this provocative study professor else argues that book x of t. Platos pronouncements on the arts in book x have engaged a.
This core concept video focuses on plato s republic book 10, specifically on his discussion about ideas or forms, material things, and. Justly celebrated as platos central text, it brings together all of his prior works, unifying them into a comprehensive vision that is at once theological, philosophical, political and moral. Socrates and glaucon are invited to polemarchus house by polemarchus and adeimantus. In book x of platos republic, socrates banishes all artists from his ideal state. The abolishment of gender roles in on liberty and the republic. Studentshare our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a matter of giving an example of the work to be done. There are any number of reasons for this, but one of them is the sheer breadth of topics and issues that plato introduces over the course of the dialogue.
Read this miscellaneous essay and over 89,000 other research documents. The republic by plato is considered to be a crucial piece of writing in philosophical ethics. Platos republic is searching for morality, justice and the just state while raising moral questions and examining them from different angles via. An analysis of a communitys morality in the republic, a. Essay on three important messages from plato s republic. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth summary and analysis of book 10 of platos philosophical text the republic. Also in book v plato describes how justice of an individual is similar to justice in the city. They bring us to question what exactly what we are doing with our day to day lives. Death is not an evil, so it cannot destroy the soul. Plato, the author, is speaking through the voice and arguments of his mentor socrates in search of answering one query. It is also devilishly difficult to truly understand.
Summary earlier in the dialogue, socrates suggested that certain kinds of music and. Thomas jefferson, author of the countrys declaration of independence and a future us president, called the work the best commentary on the principles of government which ever was written. The republic study guide contains a biography of plato, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a. Readers here should be sure to coordinate plato s remarks on poetry with the commentary in book 3, which constitutes the first phase of the discussion as the discussion unfolds in book 10, it turns out socrates s most forceful charge against poetry is it is. Why do you think plato ends the republic by invoking the myth of er. The internet classics archive the republic by plato. Earlier in the dialogue, socrates suggested that certain kinds of music and poetry should not be permitted in the curriculum of study for the future rulers of the state because some art did not seem to be morally uplifting, hence perhaps bad for children. It is also the closeness with god and the feeling that helping other is all you need for pleasure in. This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Plato republic, book eight introduction this present philosophy essay is based on the arguments that were presented by plato, in his socratic dialogue that was titled the republic. Thus, when apparently good deeds are ostensibly rewarded, and, correspondingly, evils. A comprehensive analysis of the ten books of platos major work. The just life is the most fulfilling life because it is spiritually happy with yourself. A critical guide, cambridge university press, 2010, 273pp.