The Republic Classifications Quiz

Questions and Answers

What are the three classes in Plato's just society?

Producers (correct)

Handlers

Warriors

Guardians (correct)

What is the role of auxiliaries in Plato's just society?

Warriors responsible for defending the city and enforcing the guardians' convictions.

What does Plato believe about knowledge?

Knowledge pertains only to eternal, unchanging truths.

The intelligible realm can be sensed.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is Socrates' rebuttal to Cephalus' definition of justice?

It wouldn't be just to return a gun to its rightful owner if they are in the wrong state of mind. Signup and view all the answers

What is Thrasymachus' definition of justice?

Justice is the interest of the stronger. Signup and view all the answers

What are Glaucon's three types of goods?

<ol> <li>Goods desirable for their own sake, 2. Goods desirable for their own sake and for their results, 3. Goods desirable for their consequences.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is Socrates' view on poetry in Book 3?

It is good as it gets rid of the fear of death. Signup and view all the answers

What does Socrates think of the portrayal of gods in Homer?

Poorly, as they should be models of virtue, not cruel and petty. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four virtues of the state according to Plato?

Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, and Justice. Signup and view all the answers

What is a just man according to Plato?

A man whose three parts fill their natural role, with the rational part in control. Signup and view all the answers

What is the myth of the noble lie?

The belief that people are born into different categories (Gold, Silver, Bronze) to maintain societal structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is a timocracy?

A form of government where rulers are motivated by honor and ambition. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes tyrants from regular men?

Tyrants give in to their urges while awake and are slaves to their desires. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Socrates ban all artists from his ideal state?

Artists create representations that are removed from truth. Signup and view all the answers

Socrates believes the soul is immortal.

True Signup and view all the answers

What happens to those who are just in the long run?

They will do well through hardship and lead a virtuous and great life. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Auxiliary

Auxiliaries serve as warriors in Plato's just society, maintaining peace and defending against invaders.
Their role includes enforcing the guardians' convictions and ensuring producers comply.

Guardian

Guardians are the ruling class, selected from auxiliaries, embodying the philosopher-king concept.
Their primary responsibility is governance and maintaining justice.

Knowledge

Knowledge pertains solely to eternal truths; exemplified by mathematical truths, like 2+2=4.
The intelligible realm, or the realm of the Forms, is the exclusive domain of knowledge.

Intelligible Realm

Plato identifies two realms: the visible (sensible) and the intelligible realms.
The intelligible realm encompasses Forms and abstract concepts, accessible only through intellect.

Cephalus' Definition of Justice

Justice is defined as truth-telling and repaying debts.
Socrates counters this by emphasizing the dangers of returning possessions to irrational or harmful individuals.

Polymarcus' Definition of Justice

Justice involves benefiting friends and harming enemies.
Socrates rebuts by asserting a just person does no harm, using a musician teaching poorly to illustrate the point.

Thrasymachus' Definition of Justice

Justice serves the interests of the stronger; laws exist to benefit rulers.
Socrates argues that rulers can err, thus laws may not align with their interests.
Thrasymachus contends faulty rulers aren’t truly strong, leading Socrates to conclude that justice equates to wisdom and virtue.

Socrates on Injustice

Collaboration is impossible among unjust individuals, leading to societal dysfunction.

Glaucon's Three Types of Goods

Goods appreciated for themselves: harmless pleasures.
Goods valued for both their own worth and their results: knowledge and health.
Goods desired for their outcomes but not enjoyable in themselves: gymnastics and profit-making endeavors.

Glaucon and Socrates on Justice

Glaucon categorizes justice as superior, desired for itself and its rewards.
Many perceive justice as the least valued good.

Glaucon's Intent in Debating Injustice

He advocates for injustice to challenge Socrates’ arguments for justice definitively.

Glaucon's Arguments for Injustice

The origins of justice lie in the reluctance to suffer and inflict evil, viewing it as something chosen out of necessity.
People act justly against their desires under societal pressure; Gyges' story exemplifies this notion.
An unjust life offers greater rewards and recognition than a just life.

Socrates on Poetry in Book 3

Poetry alleviates the fear of death, serving a positive role.

Socrates on Homer's Portrayal of Gods

Critiques Homer for depicting gods unvirtuously, suggesting this corrupts moral behavior in society.

Socrates on Music

Music is a tool for shaping citizens’ character, with specific harmonies promoting virtues like courage and temperance.

Socrates on Art

Art should reflect beauty and virtue to strengthen societal morals.

Socrates on Physical Training

Advocates balance in physical activity, emphasizing a healthy mind relies on a healthy body.

Socrates on the Neglect of the Body

Suggests individuals who disregard physical health may not deserve care, reflecting a harsh view on personal responsibility.

Myth of the Noble Lie

Citizens are born into distinct classes (Gold, Silver, Bronze), creating societal harmony through belief in a shared origin.

Four Virtues of the State

Wisdom (Gold), Courage (Silver), Temperance (Bronze), and Justice are essential for a functioning society.

Wisdom in the Ideal State

Rulers possess wisdom, crucial for effective governance and state management.

Courage in the Ideal State

The soldier class embodies courage, understanding true dangers and prioritizing honor over fear.

Temperance in the Ideal State

Citizens exhibit temperance, where rational control governs desires, ensuring societal harmony.

Definition of a Just State

A just state features each class fulfilling its designated role without interference, promoting order.

Three Parts of Man

Comprises the rational, irrational, and spirited parts, each requiring balance for a just individual.

Just Man

A just individual fulfills roles of rationality, moderation, and spirited support, with reason as the primary guide.

Wave 1 of Book 5

Advocates for equal training of men and women without bias, recognizing inherent differences in pursuits.

Wave 2 of Book 5

Proposes a communal family structure through anonymous procreation, aiming for societal unity.

Wave 3 of Book 5

Encourages class separation to align wisdom with power, fostering an ideal societal structure.

Ship Analogy

Citizens often misjudge the philosopher-king's wisdom, mistaking knowledge for ineptitude in governance.

Philosophers as Kings

Philosophers face public skepticism, primarily due to misperceptions equating intelligence with avarice.

Form of the Good

The 'Good' represents ultimate knowledge, bridging the physical and intelligible realms, akin to the sun illuminating truth.

True Knowledge Acquisition

Learning mathematics is fundamental for grasping true knowledge.

Types of Injust States

Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, Tyranny represent degenerated forms of governance.

Timocracy

Governed by ambition, exemplified by historical contexts like Imperial Japan, promoting honor over moderation.

Oligarchy

Ruled by the wealthy; economic disparity arises, with virtue often disregarded due to materialism.

Democracy

A system of direct governance that can lead to chaos, prioritizing freedom at the decline of order.

Tyranny

Absolute power emerges from democracy's excess, leading to corruption and suppression of dissent.

Tyrants vs. Regular Men

Tyrants embrace their base instincts continuously; regular individuals tend to suppress such impulses.

Three Types of Men

Lovers of wisdom value truth above all; lovers of honor prioritize status; lovers of gain focus on wealth.

Best Type of Man

Philosophers rank highest, prioritizing wisdom over other pursuits due to their profound understanding of truth.

Pleasures of the Rational Part

Rational pleasures yield true happiness, contrasting with transient desires leading to pain.

Socrates' Stance on Artists in the Ideal State

Bans artists due to their creations’ detachment from truth, fostering misrepresentation.

Socrates' View on Poets

Rejects poets for their double-layered imitation of truth, which corrupts the audience and society's moral fabric.

Immortality of the Soul

Socrates asserts the soul's immortality, countering beliefs in its mortality.

Long-term Consequences for the Just

Just individuals endure hardships yet ultimately achieve a fulfilling and virtuous existence.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the classes in Plato's 'The Republic' with this quiz focused on the roles of Auxiliaries and Guardians. Understand the functions and responsibilities stated by Plato in his ideal society. This quiz is designed for students studying philosophy and political theory.