The Central Tension Within The Republic Of Plato - 990 Words

Based on the readings from The Republic of Plato, the central tension within the book is identifying the ideal form of guiding individuals either through a persuasive or compulsive path of becoming complete guardians. Through persuasion, those qualified to rule, similar to Adeimantus and Glaucon, are more adequately educated to lead a city than through compulsion. Within this essay, the defining important principle of persuasion that will be explained are listening, exhortation and dialectic. By examining Platos understanding of the importance of persuasion in education, it can be determined that qualified individuals are more adequately educated through an emphasis of persuasion over compulsion. Through his writings, Plato defines with different principles what persuasion is and how it is evidently more important than compulsion when educating complete guardians. In Book II, Plato defines persuasion as being associated with philosophy, the key contributor to a city being willing to change fundamental views for the greater good, when in comparison to not being capable of understanding the truth over politics, described as popular opinion (358a-c). In other words, persuasion evidently plays an important role in the education of the complete guardians because it goes beyond social norms, and instead aspires to find the truth - the ideal philosophical way of leading a city. As described by Plato, those who become complete guardians are born with the capability of developingShow MoreRelatedPlato s View On Justice And Human Nature991 Words   |  4 Pagesshould want to live in. Central to this debate is the difference between realist and normative approaches to the topic. This tension can also be observed within Plato’s own work, for he seemingly contradicts himself manifold within The Republic and Laws on what approach to take. This essay will analyse the possible implications of this on the question of what constitutes an ideal or best state, analyse Plato’s view on justice and human nature, and finally contrast Plato with modern thinkers’ viewsRead MoreJustice and Morality in Platos Republic3158 Words   |  13 PagesJustice and Morality in Platos Republic Explain and evaluate the reasons given by Plato in the Republic, to support the contention that justice is superior to, or more beneficial than, injustice? What is the relationship between justice and morality? Introduction This essay discusses and clarifies a concept that is central to Platos argument in the Republic — an argument in favour of the transcendent value of justice as a human good; that justice informs and guides moral conduct. PlatosRead MoreThe Republic, By Plato Essay1916 Words   |  8 PagesIn one of his most widely read texts, the Republic, Plato sets out to explore the very nature of the concept of Justice, the various forms it takes in the world, and its relevance to the lives of men. As Socrates states, it is about â€Å"the way we ought to live† (I 352d). The dialogue begins by introducing the commonly held view of justice, via Thrasymachus, Glaucon and Adeimantus, as the non-performance of certain types of unlawful or antisocial acts. However, the entire treatise quickly moves on toRead MoreParmenides and Heraclitus5510 Words   |  23 PagesPaper Cephalus first raises the idea of justice with Socrates and then passes the debate on to his son, Polemarchus, to carry forward. In line with his father s arguments, Polemarchus develops the most basic definition of justice suggested in the Republic. 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