An analysis of books VII and X of Plato's "Republic".
Written in 2008; 1,020 words; 1 sources; MLA; $ 36.95
Paper Summary:
This paper discusses Plato's beliefs concerning the world and the way in which mankind should inhabit it, as illustrated in his "Republic", specifically in books VII and X. He does this in both passages through dialogue between the philosopher Socrates and his companion Glaucon. The paper holds that their conversation's central purpose is the manner in which mankind is to achieve "Goodness" through the acquisition of knowledge, experience, and the eventual reaching of the "Intelligible Realm." The paper maintains that these passages demonstrate Plato's affection towards philosophy-based education and his opposition to poetry-based education, in other words, to anything false, representational, or in any means deceitful. The paper concludes that, here, Plato expresses a clear belief that ignorance and lack of knowledge contribute to an empty state of the soul, whereas rational thinking and intelligence fill the soul with nourishment and provide the best overall state of well-being.
From the Paper:
"Plato asks us next to imagine that the prisoner is dragged up the rough, steep slope of the cave tunnel and into the world above. As the prisoner arrives at the surface he is blinded by the light and must endure great pain. "At first, it would be [the shadows] he could most easily make out, then he'd move on to the reflections of people and so on in the water, and later he'd be able to see the actual things themselves (Plato 65)." It is the prisoner's acknowledgment that these things or "Forms" are the most real of things, and that those things in the cave are merely copies, that brings him to the third and cognitive stage of thought. Next, the prisoner would "feast his eyes on the heavenly bodies and the heavens themselves--he'd be able to discern and feast his eyes on the sun--not the displaced image of the sun in water or elsewhere, but the sun on its own, in its proper place (Plato 65)." Finally, the prisoner realizes the sun to be the source of truth, or the Form of the Good; he has reached the final stage of understanding, and he can now begin to understand all other forms in reality."
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