The Republic Book 1 notes
Plato- Republic Book 1
Things to Remember
Reading the Republic at 33 is infinitely more difficult and enlightening than it was when I first attempted it at age 18.
Main Characters: Socrates, Cephalus, Polemarchus, and Tharasymachus.
Each asks and presents evidence to the question“what is justice”
Socrates and Cephalus
Cephalus: lies between father( squandered money) and grandfather (made money); is in the “twilight” of his life
Cephalus says that age has freed him from certain base, physical desire and allowed him to focus on intellectual stimulation. ( hierarchy of pleasures is being established). He admits that old age is not the greatest, but that he does not find it as much of a burden as some do.
Cephalus and Socrates discuss how wealth has made it easier for Cephalus to lead a happy and virtuous life, but wealth along does not guarantee these things.
Socrates askes what is the greatest benefit Cephalus received from being wealthy to which he receives more or less “peice of mind” as an answer since wealth keeps one from having to lie and deceive and wealth allows them to leave life owing no one
Socrates asks if justice is telling the truth and paying debts
We get a hint of the first definition of justice --> Justice=doing what you're supposed to do, especially giving others what they should have- whether this is returning possessions, being honest in business or giving proper sacrifice to the gods
Cephalus agrees that telling the truth and paying debts are not solely the definition of justice but really doesn't offer another concrete definition.
Socrates and Polemarchus
Socrates challenges the idea that justice is to “speak the truth and repay what is borrowed”- after all, I would not return a borrowed weapon to a crazy person.
Polemarchus wants to defend this notion of justice (and simultaneously his father Cephalus) however or at least a version of it, he says that justice is giving people what they are owed
Things to Remember
Reading the Republic at 33 is infinitely more difficult and enlightening than it was when I first attempted it at age 18.
Main Characters: Socrates, Cephalus, Polemarchus, and Tharasymachus.
Each asks and presents evidence to the question“what is justice”
Socrates and Cephalus
Cephalus: lies between father( squandered money) and grandfather (made money); is in the “twilight” of his life
Cephalus says that age has freed him from certain base, physical desire and allowed him to focus on intellectual stimulation. ( hierarchy of pleasures is being established). He admits that old age is not the greatest, but that he does not find it as much of a burden as some do.
Cephalus and Socrates discuss how wealth has made it easier for Cephalus to lead a happy and virtuous life, but wealth along does not guarantee these things.
Socrates askes what is the greatest benefit Cephalus received from being wealthy to which he receives more or less “peice of mind” as an answer since wealth keeps one from having to lie and deceive and wealth allows them to leave life owing no one
Socrates asks if justice is telling the truth and paying debts
We get a hint of the first definition of justice --> Justice=doing what you're supposed to do, especially giving others what they should have- whether this is returning possessions, being honest in business or giving proper sacrifice to the gods
Cephalus agrees that telling the truth and paying debts are not solely the definition of justice but really doesn't offer another concrete definition.
Socrates and Polemarchus
Socrates challenges the idea that justice is to “speak the truth and repay what is borrowed”- after all, I would not return a borrowed weapon to a crazy person.
Polemarchus wants to defend this notion of justice (and simultaneously his father Cephalus) however or at least a version of it, he says that justice is giving people what they are owed