POSC 101 Lecture 3: The Republic
22 Dec 2018
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Lecture #3 - Plato (c. 427-347 B.C.E.)
The Republic- Written in a time of crisis
Problems- wide gap between the rich and the poor; increasing level of inequality between
people
What is justice? How do we achieve it?
- Being honest and giving both men and the gods what is due them
- Helping one’s friends and harming enemies
- Whatever is in the interests of the stronger
Questions asked in the Republic…
- Why do things change, or at least why do things such as the old tribal ways appear to
change?
- Are there any constants? (getting closer to big T)
- Is anything of value permanent and lasting?
- What is the place of humans in all this: how should we properly relate to the social order
of things and, ultimately, to the universe?
Two Groups of Philosophers…
- Relativists- no truth is certain or permanent
- Absolutists- there is and always has been a real truth
Justice
- Relativists- the stronger and more powerful define Justice (pg. 21-T)
- Justice is not natural, it depends on the people in charge
- Absolutist- Searching after truth and justice through reasoned debate ( no one knows
what Justice is exactly… but it is there and does not change)
There is always a loophole, some ideas are incomplete for a purpose.
- Knowledge leads to Justice (philosophers should be in charge… because they are best
suited to understand knowledge and create a just state)
- Human nature- People can be judged as “good” or “bad” depending on how each person
fulfills his/her essence
- Ethical- Establishes the standard for judging imperfect humans and governments
- Political- Serves as the foundation of the state;
Plato equates one with the other… a political state, led by knowledgeable leaders must be in
place for people to fully realize their true potential.
C- Justice (1-3)
Document Summary
The republic- written in a time of crisis. Problems- wide gap between the rich and the poor; increasing level of inequality between people. Being honest and giving both men and the gods what is due them. Whatever is in the interests of the stronger. Are there any constants? (getting closer to big t) What is the place of humans in all this: how should we properly relate to the social order. Relativists- no truth is certain or permanent. Absolutists- there is and always has been a real truth. Relativists- the stronger and more powerful define justice (pg. Absolutist- searching after truth and justice through reasoned debate ( no one knows. Justice is not natural, it depends on the people in charge what justice is exactly but it is there and does not change) There is always a loophole, some ideas are incomplete for a purpose.
