Platos Works Essay examples - 1881 Words

Platos Works In his works, Plato writes about truth, justice, and reality in full detail. His ideas are greatly deep and persuasively argued. It is from him that all western philosophy is a footnote. He describes his view in a series of numerous dialogues. For my report, I have chosen four of his works to study, which I think were his most important. The Republic is a dialogue composed of 10 books. The theme in its entirety is justice. The characters of the dialogue are Socrates, who is the narrator; Glaucon and Adeimantus, brothers of Plato; Cephalus, a rich old man; Polemarchus, son of Plato; Thrasymachus, a Sophist; and Cleitophon. The dialogue takes place in the house of Cephalus. Book I of The Republic deals with the†¦show more content†¦Book III is a various discussion of references and beauty. He goes back to the soldier who must not fear death, but praise it. Socrates then states rulers must use propaganda for the prosperity of the state. Socrates proceeds to discuss the condemnation of imitation because it is unreal. With this comes the idea of a new poet who does not imitate. The new poet must have a balanced soul. He brings the idea of a balanced soul into his view of the ideal ruler. This ruler does not own property. Book IV highlights three main points : the togetherness of all elements, the idea that whatever happens to the state happens to the individual, and a discussion in which virtues act in the state and the soul. Plato starts this book by saying that ethics and politics are the same. Adeimantus questions Socrates by saying that the Republic would not bring happiness. Socrates brings up specific points about the state and the roles of education, justice, wisdom, courage, and temperance in the state. He discusses the soul of the state and how reason must rule it. Finally, he answers Thrasymachus and Glaucon. Socrates shows that it is more natural for a man to be just rather than unjust if his soul is healthy and each part is doing its proper work. Book V takes a position between pure theory and pinpoint detail. Here, Socrates admits he does not like to deal with detail, but is forced to. The Republic throughout shows the ideal. In Book V, Socrates discusses theShow MoreRelatedPlatos Philosophy and Works1915 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿Prompt: Book X of the Republic does not reflect the rest of Platos work. On the one hand, Plato stages a final showdown between philosophy and literature (or myth). On the other hand, the book concludes with the elaborate legend of Ers journey into the afterlife creating a determining myth factor. The prompt invites one to make sense of this contradiction. What is the point of the final myth? What does Plato manage to convey through it that he wasnt able to show or persuade with the philosophicalRead MorePlatos Explanation of an Ideal State in his Work, The Republic1878 Words   |  8 PagesThis question has sparked debate since the very formation of organized political society. In Plato’ s The Republic, Plato seeks to define justice and in doing so he seeks to explain the ideal just state. In Plato’s explanation of an ideal state, there is an extreme emphasis on unity and harmony. The reason unity and harmony are so important to Plato are because they are responsible for bonding together Plato’s ideal state and protecting it from tyranny. Plato explains at great length the framework whichRead MoreJohn Ruskin Work10142 Words   |  41 Pagesspeaking from my heart, if I went on under the supposition that all rich people were idle. You would be both unjust and unwise if you allowed me to say that; — not less unjust than the rich people who say that all the poor are idle, and will never work if they can help it, or more than they can help. For indeed the fact is, that there are idle poor and idle rich; and there are busy poor and busy rich. Many a beggar is as lazy as if he had ten thousand a year; and many a man of large fortune is busierRead MoreI Am A Clinical Social Worker For Aid For The Relief Of Those Who Have Suffered1187 Words   |  5 Pageslife decisions, it is important to reflect upon where one has come from and where one aims to go. In my own personal life, I aim to become a clinical social worker to aid in the relief of those who have suffered. More specifically, I would like to work in urgent care, hospitals, and hospice in order to help those with physical conditions understand the ramifications of their decisions and have as much peace among the chaos in their lives as possible. After much contemplation, I have decidedRead MoreGuthrie Essay 854 Words   |  4 Pagesquestions of philosophy have been so widely different† (Guthrie 19). Looking at a specific philosopher, Plato for example, this equation may be further analyzed. The first variable, temperament, is shown by Plato’s personality and interests, such as his concern for politics depicted in Plato’s Republic. The next, experience, explains why Plato has fixations with the ideas he possesses and the final piece to the equation, previous philosophers, is self-explanatory that earlier thinkers, like SocratesRead MoreThe Allegory Of The Cave1086 Words   |  5 Pagesallegorical significance(s) of the cave in Plato’s Republic. How is the cave an allegory of Plato’s philosophy? How is the allegory of the cave an allegory for enlightenment or philosophical education? How and why are most human beings like prisoners in a cave? Who are the puppeteers? What does the world o utside the cave represent? What does the sun represent? Etc. What is Plato’s Theory of the Forms? What is a Form? How does the allegory of the cave express Plato’s Theory of the Forms? How is philosophyRead MoreGender Roles And Gender Relations1512 Words   |  7 Pagesat the expense of women. In Plato’s Republic, Plato devises his plausible ideal city, Kallipolis, which holds a very different notion of these gender roles and relations from the standard held in the early ages. It is quite progressive as both, men and women, are able to uphold the same positions at work and have access to the same education, and neither are restricted to being the sole caretaker of the children. This concept enhances and strengthens the unity of Plato’s ideal just city. UnfortunatelyRead MoreAnalysis of Aristotle and Platos Thoughts Essay985 Words   |  4 Pagescontrary to Plato’s strict utopian structure and group over individual hierarchy view of the ideal stat e. Plato’s ideal state is strictly structured through a utopian ideal. Everything within Plato’s ideal state has a place and purpose, and everyone within it is aware of that. While the state works for the people as a whole instead of individual, Plato also proposes the idea of propaganda to mold even the lowest of his utopia into model citizens for the state. Plato’s state is theRead MoreThe Utopian Views Of Plato And Platos Political State741 Words   |  3 Pagesequals, contrary to Plato’s strict utopian structure and group over individual hierarchy view of the ideal state. Plato’s ideal state is strictly structured through a utopian ideal. Everything within Plato’s ideal state has a place and purpose, and everyone within it is aware of that. While the state works for the people as a whole instead of individual, Plato also proposes the idea of propaganda to mold even the lowest of his utopia into model citizens for the state. Plato’s state is the essenceRead MorePlato s Views On Democracy845 Words   |  4 PagesIn The Republic of Plato, Plato, in addition to sharing his views on justice, shares his views on democracy using a fictionalized Socrates to outline the most pressing issues. Plato’s views on democracy are negative; he believes democracy to be bred from a response to inequality of wealth and to heighten all of humanities worst traits. Plato believes democracy leads to unequipped leaders who hold offices and power without the necessary traits and preparation. The main issue Plato has with democracy