Plato What Is the Problem

Plato

What is the problem of truth? What are two of the main types of obstacles to the pursuit of truth? How does Zen practice help to overcome one type of obstacle? How does Socrates work help to overcome another type of obstacle to the pursuit of truth?

Two of the biggest obstacles to finding out what is true lie within us. We all have our own biases and prejudices. Also, we fall prey to sloppy thinking, merely accepting what common sense dictates, rather than rigorously questioning what is real and right. Zen practice encourages thoughtful and deep contemplation, encouraging the individual to look within him or herself and let go of the ego and thus the ego's negative and false assumptions. Socrates encourages people to overcome so called common sense and arrive at true wisdom by questioning conventional definitions.

Who is Socrates? Who is Plato? When and where did they live and work? Who are the Sophists? What is their (the Sophists') approach to teaching and argument? How is Socrates' approach to teaching and argument different?

Socrates was a philosopher living in 5th century Athens, during the classical age of Greek culture. Plato was one of his students. Although Socrates never wrote down any of his thoughts, Plato recorded what he witnessed. Socrates was a teacher who used probing questions to arrive at what be believed was the truth. The Sophists taught people to argue persuasively in the democratic Athenian assembly and law-courts. Unlike Socrates, they did not believe in a fixed truth, but rather believed that the truth merely depended upon who was the better persuader.

Polemarchus and Adeimantus ask Socrates to discuss justice with them. What is meant by justice? What are the three kinds of goods they discuss? According to Socrates what type of good is justice? What argument about justice do they want Socrates to prove?

Polemarchus defines justice as showing respect for the gods. Other participants define justice as speaking the truth, and paying one's debts, and other conventional definitions of justice. Socrates defines justice as every person doing the labor he or she is best suited to do, in other words, justice is a state of balance and harmony, and he attempts to disprove the idea that might makes right, and justice is only defined by who is stronger, not wiser.

What arguments about justice does Glaucon make (out of the four possibilities, which one does he explore, and according to him why are people just)?

According to Glaucon, people are just either because they do good things willingly, because they fear social rejection if they are not just, to win esteem, or out of fear of punishment. Using the ring of Gyges as his 'proof,' he finds the last reason to be the most persuasive.

What Socrates definition of justice in the state is as found in Book IV? Compare the parts of the just state to the parts of the just soul. Describe the virtues of each.

Socrates defines justice in terms of balance, as every person doing what he is best suited to do -- to rule, fight, or labor. This is why the just state is structured into three classes, the philosopher kings who rule, the military class that defends the state, and the ordinary laborers. The philosopher kings govern by virtue of knowing best, the military class is necessary to defend the state, and the laborers are necessary to do the practical work of the land, so people can eat. All classes are necessary, and correspond to the soul, mind, and body split that exists within every human body, as well as within the ideal society.

The luxurious city requires more land and defending the wealth acquired. What sector of society does this create? Describe what this group of citizens will need to be like in terms of character and skills. Why is their education so important? What are the main areas of their education?