HOW TO READ (AND

HOPEFULLY UNDERSTAND)
PLATO’S REPUBLIC

PSC1103
 Plato is an ancient Greek
Philosopher, a student of Socrates.

INTRODUCTION: Is it better to read about Plato

HOW SHOULD WE than reading what Plato wrote?
APPROACH PLATO?

The Republic is not a book or a

novel, it is a collection of dialogues.
 Dialogues have different structures

Dialogues do not necessarily provide

answers, they provide insights on how to
think
FIR ST RULE: ‘H OW TO
T H I N K , R AT H E R T H A N
W H AT TO T H INK’
Plato would often provide
contradictions

DO not try to figure out the “message”

of Plato, learn and understand how he
thinks.
 ALLEGORY
OF THE CAVE

Is Plato saying that people

are really in a cave???
 ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE

• Two men are in cave. The cave is dark. The only thing they see is the shadow of
a reflection caused by a fire in the cave.
• The shadows constantly change.
• Since the men only see shadows, they perceive the shadows to be reality.
• Prisoners can escape and find themselves in a world that is more “real”.
• The prisoner that has escaped could return to the cave and let others know
about the outside world, but he is blinded because he is not accustomed to
the sun.
 WHAT IS OUR
INTERPRETATION HERE?
 PLATO’S THE REPUBLIC

Ten “Books” that Plato suggested

Justice for Plato:
discussed the social divisions:
if everyone does
best city-state or Guardians;
their role
polis Soldiers; Workers
 DANGERS OF INTERPRETATION: HOW
TO ACHIEVE THIS “JUSTICE”?

• The enlightened Guardians will selectively breed men and women to produce the “best”
of the race.
• The best of the soldiers will get to sleep with the most beautiful women and lotteries will
be rigged so that those below will not think they have a chance to be with those who
have better status in society.
• Babies will be taken from their mothers to be determined which class they belong and
trained for their roles.
• Babies with defects will be “thrown away” (in secret)
• No one will know their families. Everyone is either their brother or sister.
WHAT IS JUSTICE?