In reading Plato's The Republic, learning to appreciate works from around 366 BC in sch a modern 21st Century world is a quite wonderful and informative privilege. Although we were not assigned to read the whole book, I have learned many ways in which Plato and Socrates think, among with the other characters.
There are a handful of characters in this book, although not all are presented in these four books. They all incorporate different aspects of knowledge. Socrates, a major character, is believed to be the most influential philosopher of Plato. Adeimantus and Glaucon, brothers of Plato, are loquacious contributors in Plato's book. Both brothers are favored equally and received much respect from Plato. Another character is Polemarchus, who is the son of the owner of the house the whole conversation takes place in, who is present when Socrates explains his definition of justice to the elenchus.
The first book we have been assigned is Book IV. The overall theme for this book is wealth, poverty, and virtue. The book opens with a question of the happiness of the guardians. Socrates thinks that these guardians would have their duty to the State as a high virtue. Socrates" first problem is convincing his audience that the citizens of the city are neither rich, lazy, or poor. Also that since these citizens were not greedy and "money hogs" they serve strong purposes. The citizens can become fierce warriors and make new allies while keeping the old ones. Also, the State can bond for unity, which is fairly uncommon in this area at this time. Socrates believes that the State is perfect, whole, and prosperous. .
Socrates converses about three of the four cardinal virtues next and who they"re placed among. Wisdom is embodied by the guardians, courage by the many warriors and fighters, and temperance is in all of the citizens. The last virtue to be unveiled is justice. He states that justice must live in the stipulation that each man practice only the one thing most suitable to his nature.
