Adeimantus' early objection falls into the category of luxury, where an object no longer only serves its purpose, but has become an end in itself. His complaint for the perceived lack of enjoyment in the lives of the guardians, while human, has no place in the debate at this point. Guardians are objectified, in the sense that they have an essential role , or purpose within the State, and are educated and trained to serve its greater causes. Throughout the discourse on guardians, defense, and legislature, Plato, through his mouthpiece Socrates, continually reiterates the importance of education, of the harmonious balance between music and gymnastics that will guide the citizens through life. This emphasis should not be ignored. Plato places great, if not primary, value on education. The prudent, early nurturing citizens of the State receive readies them for smaller tasks that Socrates admits in the dialogue he has no time to address. It is the carefully prepared wool ground, Socrates illustrates in an extended metaphor, on which the dyer sets his vivid colors. Plato's famous Academy, ancient prototype for the university, was constructed with the same principles in mind. …show more content…
But, in fact, as Socrates himself notes, it was built into the State from the beginning. That each man practice what he is best adapted to was one of the State's very basic provisions. It is the archaic formulation of Immanuel Kant's marriage of the object with its purpose. But if this justice, then it seems grossly oversimplified, since a man is capable of performing a multiplicity of tasks well, and is not described by his occupation only. Socrates, however, is not finished