(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Plato: - The Republic (Book I) And Others

            Stuff to know: The following is a brief summary of some of the readings and some of LTs expressed thoughts on them. It is not intended as a way to avoid doing those readings. a) .
             Gunther: - Argues for free speech despite admitting the harm that various forms of speech can have (he was raised as a Jew in Nazi Germany). - Has an 'absolutist' interpretation of the first amendment, where any attempt to curb the scope of free speech should be viewed with "skepticism and suspicion". - Argues that it is only the political extremes, who either reject the constitution or would have it not apply to their political opponents that typically argue for censorship. - Unlike Bork, he feels that protection of the first amendment is protection of the "anti-majority" LT: Best to let free speech reign and have people learn to argue their case against racial slurs etc. Creates a more empowered society. Restricting speech disempowers. Showing empowerment will render racial slurs impotent. - Being harmful not sufficient for being banned. Equality only real when people have the power to speak and rise up in moral indignation against those who would use racial slurs and the like. Part of Gunther's point (according to LT) is that democracy only works when the people are worthy of it (i.e. when they are willing to rise up and speak against racists etc.) Bottom line: speech hurts but not as much as censorship. b) .
             Berger: - another 'absolutist' - Clever style of argument: does not stand on first amendment but looks to conservatives claim that pornography can cause the harm they say it does. The style? Take an issue that is deadlocked and try to find some other way to argue the point. (Example: abortion debate - deadlocked on whether fetus is a person and hence deserves person-rights) - 2nd clever style of argument: pulls up presuppositions. The conservative claim that sex becomes cheapened and perverted by porn seems to rely on a particular conception of sex that is not shared by everyone (perhaps by no one other than the conservatives themselves!) - Fear of conservatives: that people will merely use one another for sex.


Essays Related to Plato: - The Republic (Book I) And Others

1. The History and Theory of Anglo-American Literature

... imitation of nature or reality, and Plato and Aristotle's theories on nature and reality were widely different, as were their ideas on the mechanism of imitation. Their differing views on mimesis, as outlined principally in The Republic and The Poetics, were thus partly a consequence of their differences in their ontological and epistemological views of the world. There are other factors, too, which complicate the matter. In Book II of The Republic, Plato begins a discussion of poetry ... nature are teleological: matter exists for the sake of the form, and it is the form which is th...

  • Word Count: 5585
  • Approx Pages: 22
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Plato : The Republic

... ? Can anyone define it? Should man strive to be just, and is it in his best interest if he does so? Socrates and other philosophers argue about justice in the book, Plato's The Republic. This book is an examination of the "good life"; the harmony reached by applying pure reason and justice. The ideas and arguments of Plato center on the social settings of an ideal republic- those that lead each person to a more perfect life ... his ideals. Consequently, the men go on about the State that would meet the needs of all mankind. There would be rulers; the philosophers and thinkers that would ...

  • Word Count: 1664
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Plato

... in dialogue form. The Republic is just one of all his works. I find The Republic to be very interesting because Plato talks about the different levels of cognition. He mentioned that wisdom, courage, moderation and justice combine together to form the Republic. According to the book Great Thinkers of the Western World, in the Republic, Plato sets forth the simile of the line by which he divides all knowledge into the realm of opinion and the realm of true knowledge ... does its exact job, then justice would be found. I agree with Plato's philosophy to a certain extent because I believe ...

  • Word Count: 1125
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

4. republic of plato

... in the book since from the start Polemarchus is the one who keeps Socrates going with the argument of justice. A lot of good points were raised by him. The name Thrasymachus means strong ally in battle, and indeed his love of win makes him strong in the arguments. Glaucon is clear sighted and an ally to Socrates for the most part throughout the book. He is better than the others to ... accept his mistakes in an argument. And then Adeimantus is fearless and intrepid, he is eager to jump to conclusions ... government full of variety and disorder as Plato puts it. (Book VIII 555b). Socrat...

  • Word Count: 1741
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Plato Critique of Democracy

... a tyranny. Because of a lack of internal control, outside things move the unjust person/state around at will. The unjust ends up living a life of fear and anxiety, the essence of being out of control. Socrates states that only the man of reason has pure pleasures. All others have varying degrees of unhappiness. By equating the philosopher with the man of pure reason, he sets up a situation where proof ... I believe that make the world the interesting and diverse place it is today. Bibliography ?Background to Plato's Philosophy: The Political Background?. http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments...

  • Word Count: 1296
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Plato's notion of Justice and how it's self-contradicting

... jobs to the people.) In his book The Republic, Plato uses many metaphores and comparisons in order to make clear his ideas and explain them thoroughly. One of his most famous metaphor is referred to as the "Allegory of the Cave." He first explains his idea of the Forms, which are the basis of knowledge and truth and only philosophers are able to see and understand the Forms. In his allegory of the cave, Plato describes the common ... his new knowledge? Here lies Plato's discrepancy; if the philosopher learns the Forms, of Good and Justice, would it not be 'meddling with the affairs of o...

  • Word Count: 4188
  • Approx Pages: 17
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. Plato and Gender Equality

... Plato's The Republic, gender equality within society is explored. Book V describes his ideal community which includes producers, guardians, and rulers. Plato promotes a specialization of employment and status based on innate ability, rather than gender. Given the time period in which this piece was written, Plato's assertions are rather liberal. Aside from making pointing out physical differences between the sexes, Plato's argument has contributed to the ... question being does physical build matter much in a technological society? In questions of biological differences in the brain, t...

  • Word Count: 993
  • Approx Pages: 4

8. The Unchangeable Nature of Men

... to interact across the globe. This is the amplification of the basic human need to belong and relate with others. Therefore the case that human beings have always had certain behavior that is not affected by circumstances is true. Plato, as a student of Socrates, documented the views and arguments of Socrates in The Republic. Socrates' arguments presented in The Republic were very convincing and logical. His opinions ... not only examine the essence of human behavior but also lay a foundation to modern day politics and society. One key argument that proves to be relevant in modern day i...

  • Word Count: 1092
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Plato Vs. Aristotle

... one particular end, only certain things are taught while others are excluded; there is censorship during the training of the philosopher kings. Plato plans for the philosopher kings to be the leaders of everyone. These enlightened rulers work against the interests of society in the name of theory and greater knowledge. They will not be able to relate to the public and the citizens will reject them as rulers. . In addition, there ... they will naturally choose the richer and smarter class. The question at the center of Plato's The Republic is whether it is better to live justly or unjust...

  • Word Count: 1216
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question