Comparing Plato's Republic And Allan David Bloom

Madison McCoy

Mrs. Schuman

Honors Western Civilization

10 October 2014

Plato’s Republic

Plato, and Allan David Bloom. "Books I-IV." The Republic. New York: Basic, 1968. N. pag. Print. The Republic by Plato was a book centered on justice. Its values created a foundation that helped to form the foundation of American government as we know it. Plato’s Republic covers Socrates views on philosophy, government, and more. Several themes are explained in the Republic, including gender equality, philosophers as rulers, and even explaining the ideal city. But underneath all of that, lies one common thesis. The thesis that justice is worthwhile because it creates a healthy soul. This theme of justice is greatly explained in Books I-IV. Plato begins

The Republic begins with Socrates challenging his acquaintances to define justice, quickly disputing their definitions with strong points and counter examples. For example, Cephalus claims that justice is about being honest and following laws. Socrates contradicts this with if one had possessed a weapon from a madman. It would be legally right to give the madman his weapon, yet would it be just? Socrates explains it would not be just, because the madman could do a lot of harm. Soon, Thrasymachus enters the scene and argues that justice benefits the stronger. He claims that justice is not equal, nor worthwhile. Socrates immediately disputes this with his thesis, that justice in fact creates a healthy soul. The argument continues, yet it has not reached a solution by the end of Book I. Socrates’s goal is to prove that justice is worthwhile. Glaucon and Adeimantus, close friends of Socrates, soon explain the differences between injustice and justice. They do this by claiming that justice in many people’s minds is simply suffering, yet if there was no justice is worse. Yet, I believe they fail to give accurate examples as to how this works, because they also argue that injustice can be in

He also argues that every person has one individual role, and they are to only do their specific job. While Socrates explains this well and it is a valid point, it could actually hurt a city instead of help it. People, feeling trapped in a occupation they do not like, would be prone to rebellion, hurting Plato’s idea of the perfect government. Despite that, Plato believes that this will create an ideal city, in which justice prevails. Once again, this relates back to his thesis of a healthy soul. Plao believes that when one does not worry of other people’s business, it adds to this idea of mental balance and peace, creating a healthy soul. While this is a valid point, it once again offers advantages as well as disadvantages. People will always want to know the happenings and government choices when it affects their life. Plato believes that people will be only concerned with their own affairs, which in some ways is impossible. He also explains the importance of a select warrior class, receiving different education and principles than for example, farmers or merchants. He then explains the criteria for judges and rulers of his ideal city. There is a series of tests, as well as a lot of training so that they may be eligible to rule. Socrates explains that