Republic of the Philippines

Province of Rizal

University of Rizal System

College of Education
Antipolo City

Navarroza Coleen
BSE-Social Studies 2
Reflection Paper 2: Platon (The Republic) and St Augustine (City of God)

I. INTRODUCTION

Plato was a philosopher and teacher in ancient Greece who lived from 428/427 BC

to 348/347 BC. His most famous work, “The Republic,” is a Socratic dialogue that

discusses the concept of justice and the organization of an ideal city-state. His ideas

and philosophies continue to influence modern thought, particularly in the fields of

politics, ethics, and education. St Augustine of Hippo was a Christian theologian and

philosopher who lived from 354 to 430 AD. His works have had a significant impact

on Christian theology and Western philosophy.

A. BACKGROUND

The Republic, a work of political philosophy by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato

(427–347 BC), examines the essence of justice and the ideal society. Plato presents

his theory of Forms, according to which abstract concepts (including beauty, truth,

and justice) are more real than the physical world, in “The Republic.”

The great book of Christian apologetics “The City of God,” written by the Christian

theologian and philosopher St. Augustine (354–430 AD), contrasts the heavenly

“City of God” with the earthly “City of Man.”

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 B. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Both Plato’s “The Republic” and St. Augustine’s “The City of God” deal with the

nature of good governance and the ideal society. However, their philosophical and

theological perspectives and frameworks differ. In “The Republic,” Plato proposes a

utopian society governed by philosopher-kings who possess knowledge of the Form

of the Good. The philosophical framework is based on the idea of Forms or Ideas,

the belief that the material world is a mere reflection of a transcendent world of

absolute truths. In contrast, Augustine’s “City of God” is a Christian work that

explores the relationship between God, sin, and human society. Augustine takes

C. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

How the Platon (The Republic) and St Augustine (City of God) similar to each other?

II. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF DATA

A. REALITY

Plato’s “The Republic” and St. Augustine’s “City of God” are two

prominent writings in the history of philosophy and theology. Around

380 BCE, Plato wrote “The Republic,” which contains his theories

about the perfect society and human nature. St. Augustine’s “City of

God,” which he wrote in the fifth century CE, expresses his opinions on

how Christianity and the Roman Empire should have interacted. Both

works have had a significant impact on Western thought and continue

to be studied and debated by scholars today.

B. REFLECTION

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 C. RESPONSE

III. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

A. SUMMARY

B.CONCLUSION

C.RECOMMENDATION

IV. REFERENCE

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