Morality in Plato's "Republic"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the concept of morality as seen in Plato'o "Republic." The author examines morality drawing on arguments presented in the first chapter of Plato's work. Several other philosophers' outlooks are examined, which include Socrates, Polemarchus and Simonides. Their opinions on morality are compared and contrasted, with the central focus given to Socrates.

From the Paper:

" Thus through this first chapter of the book, we come to understand that Socrates' idea of a moral person is based on his own original thinking and conclusion drawn from dialogue. He didn't believe in one exact definition of morality but believed in drawing some attributes of a moral person through discussion and dialogue. For this purpose, he found the loopholes in traditional view of morality and based his definition on long dialogue with those who believed in the former. He believed that morality was good and immorality bas because "immorality makes for mutual conflict, hatred, and antagonism, while moral behavior makes for concord and friendship" (p. 40). Thus Socrates maintained that morality could not be judged through truthfulness or return of borrowed items, it had to be based on character attributes of the person. He felt that a moral person was one whose action led to something good and beneficial while immoral person's action led to exactly the opposite. In other words, it is the actions that make a person. If an action leads to positive results from highest number of people, we can claim that it was a moral action and vice versa. Socrates' main argument was not in favor of his view of morality but rather it was in opposition of the prevailing view. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Plato. Republic. (1994). Translated by Robin Waterfield; Oxford University Press. Oxford

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