Socrates discusses a few parts of philosophy with Glaucon, and Adeimantus making a few comments to the questions of Socrates. Socrates begins by stating that they are looking into the make up and basis of absolute justice and the perfectly just. Then explaining the lover (philosopher) how he not just shows love to part of what which he loves but all of which he loves (knowledge). He continues with many explanations of just, unjust, temperance, good and evil, but never giving a fully knowledgably explanation of what is good.
He talks of the philosopher not just following in one path but many. Comparing to the average man who usually picks one field of study or passion and follows just that path. The philosopher cannot have a mean spirit or fear death. He then looks at whether the potential philosopher is gentle and just, not rude and unsociable. The philosopher cannot be forgetful. All the philosophers" qualities must come full stream with a well-proportioned gracious mind. Who continuously searches for the true being of "everything".
He points out that the philosopher that is considered a true philosopher is deemed useless by the state. The true philosophical mind will point out the good, evil, just and unjust to anyone, whether that one is a high official or a peasant. The ones who are unworthy of the title are willing to say or do what ever their state and cities expect of them, never holding true to philosophy itself. This in essence is destroying philosophy.
Next, he describes how educators are corrupting some of the potential philosophers of tomorrow, by teaching from their own heart rather than searching for the truth first. So when teachers (sophists) ideas become useless they threaten of consequence and repercussion. This all leads to the mental decay of any true philosopher. Since the sophists merely teach the opinions of others with not any true critical thinking involved for the self but just a repetition of patterns of text and subjects.
