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Consequently, Plato advises that heroes of Greek literature should be depicted as thoughtfully courageous and in control of their anger and physically resilient warriors. Second, Plato believes that if aggressiveness is properly excited by physical training, then the Guardian will be courageous. Plato describes five types of government in the Republic:1.Aristocracy- Plato considered this the best form of government; aristocracy embodies wisdom of the philosopher king. 3.Oligarchy- rule by a rich elite, their vice is greed, the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.
Plato's expounded definition of the virtue of courage is that a courageous act is an amalgamation of a person's natural passion of aggressiveness and properly educated rational beliefs over what is worthy regarding the possibility of losing their life or limb over. The ruler should think logically not emotionally. The ruler must show a mastery of Arete = excellence vs. In the history of philosophy this becomes known as the "four cardinal virtues"; wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. What is also important to observe is that he introduces a new element, that of education, in his definition of courage that was absent from his early dialogue Laches. 2.Timocracy- military government embodies virtues of honor and courage. Rulers- those trained to use reason and posses wisdom.
Plato's successor Aristotle, will argue against this notion in his EN. A. Plato espouses the idea in the Republic that the Guardians need to possess certain natural qualities; such as strength, speed, and courage. akrasia= weakening of will, or no self-control. This dialogue is significant in that it helps to flesh out Plato's notion of what ultimately makes a person courageous.
First, Plato argues that the goal of education, which he compares to a sheepdog, is to watch over the Guardians; thus, with the proper education he believes the proper balance between exciting their aggressiveness and subduing it in the Guardians can be achieved. Plato's aim has a definite effect on his definition of courage. It seems odd that Plato classifies courage as a natural quality possessed by certain people. Plato in book four of the Republic does move on from his study of thumos as the prime motivating force to act courageously, to actually defining the virtue of courage. Plato argues that the government's duty to citizens is to provide justice, and educate citizens both men and women. I found G. Plato's project in the Republic is to form the "perfect" society.
5.Tyranny- this is the worst form of government. Plato defines courage as a person's ability to subdue their aggressiveness by the orders of their reason in regards to what they should be fearful of regardless of their own feelings of pain or pleasure. Plato's goal is to match a person's character disposition to a job they are naturally inclined to perform in the city. The vice is selfishness, one power crazed person in control. Artisans have moderation of appetites. I read Plato's Republic for a graduate philosophy class.
This automatically presupposes that not all people can practice the virtue of courage. If overly excited they will be like a wild beast devoid of grace and will become ignorant. Grubb's translation to be the best of several I read. In the Republic to insure excellent people Plato advocated selective breeding of excellent unmarried people who lived in communes, who did not own property. I paid close attention to Plato's thesis of courage in his Republic, which I expound below.
With this introduction of courage as a virtue, Plato takes another crack at defining courage. The state's social structure stood for justice and was divided into three groups. Guardians/ Soldiers have courage/spirit. With this view of human nature in mind, in Plato's model society, he divides the citizens into three classes. Finally, Plato argues in his education section of the Republic, that to counter the possibility of a Guardian developing an over excited passion of aggressiveness, it is necessary to teach the Guardians literature and music during the same time they undergo physical training. M.
Not only does Plato spend a significant amount of time advocating for the tools necessary to subdue the passions of the Guardians in book three of the Republic, but another important point in Plato's philosophy to consider is that since he believes that a Guardian's aggressiveness is influenced by literature he is very concerned by what type of literature is taught to them as well. Rulers from whom the "philosopher king," will be selected, Guardians who are soldiers to protect the state, and the rest of the citizens classified as Artisans This division of citizens precipitates a discussion by Plato on the four virtues that these citizens will bring to the state. Therefore, he counsels that the Guardians who naturally possess aggressiveness have to also naturally possess the opposite characteristic of gentleness as well, so that their aggressiveness will only be used against the enemy and not their own citizenry. Plato fears that the Guardians could be susceptible to using their passion of aggressiveness against there own people. Thus, Plato hopes this balanced approach to educating the Guardians will then lead to courage being a controlled and calm act of endurance in battle, instead of a foolhardy lust for blood letting and an emotional reaction to war.
Once he [Plato] has introduced the city in 369 b-d, he immediately advances the thesis, which is to dominate the rest of the Republic, that the needs of its inhabitants can best be met if each person in it performs that single task, and that single task alone, for which he is naturally suited. Thus, Plato seems to be using the term andreia [courage] to cover (at the least) both courage proper, which can only exist in some kind of unity with the other virtues, and raw mettle or aggressiveness, which can exist in conjunction with various vices. Plato's purpose in the Republic is not to perfect the character of people as an end but only as a means to an end.
Plato is very concerned that the archetypical heroic warrior Achilles, as depicted in Homer's epic poem the Iliad along with those depicted in Greek tragedies performed on stage, are bad examples for the Guardians to emulate. "Reason allows us to live for something." Through reason we set goals and organize our lives around achieving goals. In addition, Plato argues that in order for people to be courageous they must also have an aggressive thumos [passion], which makes both people and animals fearless and determined.
I find this is especially the case when exploring his ideas on how to educate the Guardians of the city to act courageously. Plato's ideal ruler, the "Philosopher King," should be 50 years old with 15 years of government experience and should have studied science and philosophy. 4.Democracy- mob rule, and chaos, it represents akrasia people are slaves of their desires and have little self-control.
This book is absolutely essential to understand Western philosophy. This edition contains great annotations and explinations, and is a very lucid and accessible translation. "The Republic" is an insightful look into human nature and the nature of state. This book is truly Plato's best work.
It is not so much the result of all thinking, but the process of thinking itself which makes this a great book. Rhetorics will be thrown in your face as if it is common language and some sense of historical background on the Greeks may help as well.But this shouldn't hold you back from reading this classic piece, all 450 pages of it. Known as one of the greatest Greek philosiphers of all-time you can get a taste of his way of thinking and the time he was living in.If you have any interest in history and philosophy you'll love this book. Most people know this book by title, not by content. I must admit reading this book is not for the faint at heart.
There are copious footnotes and references which further assist the reader in deciphering one of the most published and interested philosphical texts ever.As far as the work by Plato, it is one of the single most important books ever written and should be read by every person with an above average IQ and a thirst for knowledge and understanding (which begins with truth, thanks Plato). My intent is not to bog down the reader with a lot of drivel.This is one of the better copies of the republic I have seen and read. I would have prefered a hardcover version, but at this price it is a steal.
Without these standards and rules a civilized existence would be impossible because there would be no protection from those w/o a moral code. This book teaches the structure of western civilization, organization of government and definitively answers the question as to why borders must be respected, governments must be organized, the rule of law must be respected and why we must have a strong military force if we wish to live above the standards of barbarians. This is my absolute favorite non religious text."The Republic" should be required reading for all students in western society before high school graduation. To understand western society and all things or anything political past the days of barbarians and cave persons this book is the foundation.
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