OCTOBER 17/18: PLATO'S REPUBLIC: A NEW FOUNDATION FOR LAW AND JUSTICE
READINGS (Tuesday night, October
17): excerpts from Thucydides’
History of the
Peloponnesian War: the Civil War in Corcyra, and the Melian Dialogue
(Procopy packet); “The Apology”
and “Crito” from Great Dialogues of Plato,
pp. 423-59; Great Dialogues of
Plato, selections from the Republic, pp.
118-25 (editor's summary of the Republic), 155-89 (the origins and
nature of
justice in the city; the poets’ portrayal of the gods), 214-17 (the
necessary lie), 286 (the ship of state), 415-22 (the Myth of Er)
(consult the
Commentary on Book 1 of the
Republic, and the Concluding Remarks on the
Republic).
READINGS (Wednesday, October
18): Great Dialogues of
Plato, selections from the Republic, pp.
118-25 (editor's summary of the Republic), 155-89 (the origins and
nature of
justice in the city; the poets’ portrayal of the gods), 214-17 (the
necessary lie), 286 (the ship of state), 415-22 (the Myth of Er)
(consult the
Commentary on Book 1 of the
Republic, and the Concluding Remarks on the
Republic).
Summary: In the Republic, we will examine how
Plato’s effort to create a firmer foundation
for law and justice responded to the political crises of fifth-century
Athens and the perceived failings of some of the different views of
justice that we have discussed. We will also consider his
critique of the poets in the light of our reading of Homer and
Sophocles, and we will assess
his own use of stories and metaphors within the Republic.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: INTERPRETING AND APPRECIATING THE
REPUBLIC
-Do you accept Socrates’ reasons for shifting the discussion from
the examination of individuals to a consideration of the city (p. 165)?
-Critically examine Socrates' explanations of why cities come into
existence and how a division of labor arises in society (pp. 165-68).
-Should Socrates accept Glaucon's criticism (p. 169) and abandon the
"city of pigs" for the "luxurious city"?
-Do you agree that dogs are lovers of wisdom (p. 173)? Why should
the
guardians of Socrates' city be "lovers of wisdom"?
-Why does Socrates propose to censor the stories of the poets?
-Compare Socrates' discussion of passages from the Iliad (pp. 176-77)
with our own.
-How does Socrates wish the gods to be portrayed? Why?
-What does Socrates mean by a “necessary lie”? Why is it
justifiable?
-What is the purpose of the story of the origins of the guardians
(pp. 214-17)? Why is it important for the success of Plato’s
ideal
society?
-Consider the use of stories - like that of the ship of state (p.
286) or the myth of Er (pp. 415-22) in the Republic. What are
their
lessons? How are they similar to or different from the stories
that
Socrates condemned earlier in the Republic?
-The Republic concludes with the Myth of Er, a lengthy description of
the afterlife and the process of reincarnation, alleged presented by a
man who died and came back to life. This is the most elaborate
description of an afterlife that we have encountered in the course. How
does it contribute to Plato's discussion of morality and justice?