Plato

A detailed Summary of Plato


In Book II of The Republic of Plato, Socrates is having a conversation with his brothers about justice. In Book I Socrates was questioning what justice was and in this book he takes the question a step further. The new question is "What is the relationship between philosophy and politics and what is the relationship between free thought and a political doctrine?" In order to start answering this question, Socrates uses a method that differs from the first book. Instead of applying self-reference to the question, he uses imagery. A new dramatic situation is also evident. In Book I Socrates was walking into town, openly asking questions, some to random people. In this book Socrates and his brothers are in a private house to avoid the invitation if political persecution, and to avoid corrupting the youth, as they would if discussed in public.

Socrates brothers Glaucon and Adiemantus are aware of their ignorance towards their unhappiness. Neither of them is set in their


Plato uses the city as an image of the human soul to cause both the readers and Socrates brothers to test the strength of their desires. The imagery also forces free thought. In order to have free thought, one must take oneself out of a political doctrine. Most political doctrines habituate individuals to use reason to satisfy desires, but it is those desires decided by the given doctrine.

At the beginning of the book, the three men are discussing justice as if it's a good thing. Glaucon wants Socrates to prove it and argues if it is just to do wrong in order to have justice, or on the other hand, is it unjust to never do wrong and therefore have no justice. For example; a man who lies, cheats and steals yet is a respected member of the community would be living a just life, in comparison to a man who never lied, cheated, nor stole anything but lives in poverty and is living an unjust life. Glaucon assumes the life of a just man is better than the life of an unjust

Some common words found in the essay are:
Glaucon Socrates, Book Socrates, Glaucon Adiemantus, Plato Socrates, political doctrine, book socrates, socrates brothers, human soul, political doctrine start, soul desires, feverish city, city luxury, justice book, doctrine start, wrong justice,

Approximate Word count = 661
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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