Republic I - Reading Questions Online Assignment PDF

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PHIL 1050 - Republic I - Reading Questions Assignment...

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Name: Connor Reis

Due Date: 6/12/16 Study Questions for Republic I:

1) What are the circumstances surrounding the opening of the Republic? Who are the main participants? a) In the beginning of the Republic Socrates and Glaucon are about to leave Piraeus to return home to Athens. While leaving the city they are seen by Polemarchus, the son of Cephalus, who instructs his slave to stop Socrates and Glaucon. Polemarchus is with Glaucon and Plato’s brother, Adeimantus and numerous other men. The men convince Socrates and Glaucon to stay to watch a horseback relay race during the festival. Eventually they venture to Cephalus’ home, where Socrates and Cephalus begin their conversations on old age, wealth, and justice. 2) The Republic is primarily about justice. What are Cephalus and Polemarchus’ definitions, and what are Socrates’ arguments against them? a) Cephalus’ definition of justice is drawn from the works of Pindar. He seems to think being wealthy, orderly, speaking the truth, and repaying debts is justice. Socrates argues that if you were lent the weapon of your friend, it would be unjust to return it if he were in a crazed state. Polemarchus’ definition comes from the poet Simonides. He says that “it is just to give each what is owed to him.” Socrates speaks much like he did in Apology, by asking questions he already knows the answers to. He argues that due to the fact our friends are not always virtuous nor are our enemies always horrible people we cannot be sure that the unjust are being punished. Punishing the good can in no way be just. 3) What occurs in 336b which changes the tone and direction of the dialogue? What is the new definition of justice given? a) Thrasymachus finally jumps into the conversation after becoming so annoyed he leaps at them. He is frustrated that Socrates is considered so wise when all he does is ask questions, never answering any himself. Thrasymachus accuses Socrates of being ironic. He also appears confident that he knows a better definition of justice than any that had already been given. The other men begged Thrasymachus to define what justice is, to which he eventually says, “I say that justice is nothing other than the advantage of the stronger.” 4) At 345a, Socrates says he does not believe that ‘injustice is more profitable than justice’ meaning this is the same as the definition given in question #3. Is this true? Are these two definitions the same? a) I think these definitions are the same in the sense that there are many answers and examples of situations which can be thought of that would illegitimatize the definition. Personally, I do not think injustice is more profitable than justice. I do not think it is just to be stronger or more powerful than another person. To me it does not make sense that only the most powerful and wealthy have the opportunity to be just. 5) The ethical challenge that Thrasymachus gives in Book 1 is often called the Immoralist’s Challenge. In your own words, explain what you think the Immoralist’s Challenge is. Feel free to use either Socrates or Thrasymachus’ version of the challenge in your answer. a) I think the Immoralist’s Challenge is the ultimate test of a person’s word and character. If they are true to themselves and the people they encounter, then they will act as they normally do and say. It challenges people to think about doing, achieving, or obtaining anything they want and why they should or should not pursue those desires. For example, you could use invisibility to steal incredible amounts of money, hurting others in the process and benefitting yourself or you could use it to stop a criminal from robbing someone, preventing someone from being harmed. Which choice would be the best to make, assuming no negative consequences arise from your actions? 6) Skip to the beginning of Book II and read from index 359c to 360e. This short passage is about the famous Ring of Gyges. This example brings home the troubling Immoralist’s Challenge best. How? What does Plato think this story shows about how most of us consider justice and injustice to be? a) As humans we all have innate desires and wishes for ourselves, whether it is to rule people, sleep with women, or be the richest person alive. Given the opportunity to obtain these things, by any means and without being punished, we most certainly would. Plato thinks that given the chance, people would choose acting unjustly over being just. He claims that it is more beneficial to the individual to act unjustly as their lives would be more pleasant....