Read: Plato, The Republic
Books 1, 2, and 7

Note: After you read books 1, 2, and 7, you might find it helpful to read Allan Bloom's commentary at the end of the book. He provides a detailed discussion of each book, highlights the logical steps of the argument, and fills in points of context and interpretation.Book 1

1. For Book 1, consider the following terms and the role they play in the discussion between Socrates, Cephalus, Polemarchus, and Thrasymachus:

reason
sacred/divine
private property
justice
virtue
knowledge
philosophy
strength
individual good/collective good
arts

2. What is Socrates's method of argument? Why do you think he pursues discussions in the way that he does?

3. What do you think Socrates wants his interlocutors to think about with respect to justice, virtue, knowledge, and philosophy?

Book 2

4. Why is Glaucon unsatisfied with the "resolution" to the argument with Thrasymachus? What question does he wish Socrates to continue pursuing and why?

5. What links does Socrates establish between justice and happiness?

6. Why does Socrates claim that they need to discuss justice in a city before understanding justice and the individual? Are you persuaded by the analogy?

7. What are the characteristics of the city Socrates describes? How are those characteristics connected to justice?

8. What role does education play in the flourishing city Socrates and his interlocutors construct? What do you think of this model?

Book 7

9. What do you see as the meaning of the allegory of the cave? What lessons do you take from it?

10. What links does Socrates establish between knowledge and goodness? What role should these play in the city that he and his interlocutors have constructed?

11. Does Socrates succeed in substantiating the analogy between the just or virtuous city and the just or virtuous person?

12. While Socrates sees his role as asking questions, he often does so in a leading manner. What do you think his opinion is of justice, knowledge, philosophy, and truth? What passages support your descriptions? How does your opinion compare to that of Socrates?

Journal entry: due in class on Friday, 10/27.
The allegory of the cave is one of the most famous passages in philosophy. What do you think explains its ongoing appeal? What does it demand and allow us to think about?

You may answer this question however you like, but you might find it useful to consider one of the following topics:
(1) What are your personal responses to the allegory? How does it relate to your understandings of knowledge, education, and philosophy?
(2) Why did the allegory play a prominent role in the movie The Conformist? What do the direct and indirect references to it mean, in your opinion?
(3) Is the liberal arts education you are pursuing consistent with the goals of education as outlined in The Republic? What are key points of similarity and difference, and how are they significant?
(4) The allegory of the cave can be applied to the role of media in our culture. What might the different elements in the allegory represent? Is our society currently living in the world of shadows?

For more information, contact: aleshkow@holycross.edu