POLS270 Lecture Outlines for Plato

Plato | POLS270 Home

Links in the outlines connect to the online version of the text.

Background on Plato

I. Ancient Athens

Tour of Athens

    A. The system of city states.

 

    B. Social composition.

II. Athenian Democracy

    A. Political institutions.

    B. Early political ideas.

III Plato.

The Republic

I. The initial views of justice

 

   A. Justice is to tell the truth and pay one's debts (Chephalus).[35]

      1. Elaboration of the definition.

         a. But it would be unjust to return weapons to a madman.

         b. So only good is due from friend to friend.

         c. This implies that enemies must receive something evil.

         d. Final position: justice is an art that benefits friends and injures enemies.

      2. Socrates' criticisms.

         a. What does the art of justice properly confer and on whom?

         b. Each example shows another art is more desirable in practice than justice.

         c. If we misjudge who is our friend/enemy then we do injustice.

         d. If justice injures then it reduces the excellence of justice and thus perverts its purpose.

         e. Thus this view of justice is unacceptable.

   B. Justice is the interest of the stronger (Thrasymachus). [202]

      1. Elaboration.

         a. An example: laws are designed to suit the interest of the ruling class, which is stronger.

         b. But since they make mistakes and their subjects (the weaker) must obey them, the weak injure the strong.

         c. Thrasymachus replies that when the ruler errs he is not acting as a ruler.

      2. Socrates' reply and criticism.

         a. But each art seeks its own perfection through serving the subjects of its practice.

         b. And since the arts are superior to their subjects and have authority over them, they all promote the advantage of the weaker.

         c. Thus the ruler true to his calling when takes into account only the interest of his subjects.

      3. Thrasymachus changes his argument.

         a. But, says Thrasymachus, the just man is always the loser to the unjust.

         b. The unjust (ruler) uses his power to exploit--including the just.

      4. Socrates' final criticisms.

         a. Justice is the excellence of the soul.

         b. Justice is more profitable.

   C. Justice is a social contract. [Book 2]

 

      1. The nature of justice as a good.

      2. The common view of justice.

II. The Structure of the City.

 

   A. The basis for determining its size.

   B. The mutual needs of citizens.

   C. Guardians and the analogy of the dog.

III. The Education of the Guardians. [702]

   A. Music (literature).

      1. Censorship.

      2. Virtues to be taught.

   B. Gymnastic.

   C. Implications of the system.

   D. Analogy of the metals.

IV. Advantages of the educational system. [Book 4]

   A. Happiness.

   B. Conservation.

   C. Foreign relations.

V. Location of the four virtues. [1436]

   A. Wisdom.

   B. Courage.

   C. Moderation.

   D. Justice.

VI. The three waves. [1805]

 

   A. Status of women.

   B. Marriage and children.

   C. The rulers.

 

VII. Education of the rulers. [2522]

   A. Plato's theory of knowledge.

      1. Analogies of the line and sight.

      2. Analogy of the cave.

   B. Cirriculum of the ruler.

      1. Subjects of study.

      2. Dialectic.

      3. Internship.

 

VIII. The Types of Regimes and Men. [3110]

   A. Aristocracy.

   B. Timocracy.

      1. The state.

      2. The person.

   C. Oligarchy.

      1. The state.

      2. The person.

   D. Democracy.

      1. The state.

      2. The person.

   E. Tyranny.

      1. The state.

      2. The person.

IX. The Rewards of a Just Life. [Book 10]