Introduction to Philosophy Plato's Republic Bk1. Instructor: Jason Sheley

Transcription

1 Introduction to Philosophy Plato's Republic Bk1 Instructor: Jason Sheley

2 Opening puzzle: The Prisoner's Dilemma

3 One of the themes we will explore is how to make sense of a person's self-interest. The following puzzle represents a classic case...

4 Tanya and Cinque have been arrested for robbing the Hibernia Savings Bank and placed in separate isolation cells. Both care much more about their personal freedom than about the welfare of their accomplice. A clever prosecutor makes the following offer to each. You may choose to confess or remain silent. If you confess and your accomplice remains silent I will drop all charges against you and use your testimony to ensure that your accomplice does serious time. Likewise, if your accomplice confesses while you remain silent, they will go free while you do the time. If you both confess I get two convictions, but I'll see to it that you both get early parole. If you both remain silent, I'll have to settle for token sentences on firearms possession charges. If you wish to confess, you must leave a note with the jailer before my return tomorrow morning. What is the best option for each? Why?

5 Some further cases and links... v=s0qjk3twze8

6 We saw in the Crito that Socrates thinks that wrongdoing harms and shames the wrongdoer. But what is wrongdoing? Or, to put it positively, what is the right thing to do? (Rightdoing)

7 As it happens, this is the chief question in Plato s Republic: What is Justice? (The greek dikaion is translated as Justice, but could be better translated as general rightdoing ) In Crito, the term used was adikein, so they are investigating the same thing in The Republic.

8 Practical Concerns The Republic begins with a practical question. What does Socrates want to know from Cephalus? (Why is this important?)

9 At this point, Cephalus (and several of the listeners) offers a definition. (331e) What definition does he offer? How does Socrates respond?

10 Plato thinks that in order to answer the basic, practical question (how do I live a good life?), we need not only to investigate the ethical issues (what is Justice). We also need to investigate Metaphysical and Epistemological issues, as well. In other words, in order to answer the original question, we will also need a theory of what is ultimately real, as well as a theory of knowledge.

11 Thrasymachus Thrasymachus arrives on the scene and offers a new definition of Justice. What is it? How does Thrasymachus carry himself? What sort of person are we dealing with here? (However, what do you think about what Thrasymachus says at ?)

12 T s first definition: Justice is the advantage of the stronger. (notice the clarification at 339) Socrates response at 339d: It is just to do what is in the advantage of the stronger, and also what is not to their advantage. (Why does Socrates think this?)

13 Notice that they offer Thrasymachus a way out at 340c. But he refuses to accept this way out. (why?) Socrates next move is to make several analogies, and gets T to agree to each. What is the point of the set of analogies? (hint: 342e)

14 Thrasymachus then gives a second speech (343a-344d) Let s look at it...

15 344: A person of great power outdoes (pleonektein) everyone else. 344d: The conclusion - Those who reproach justice do so because they are afraid not of doing it but of suffering it. So, Socrates, injustice, if it is on a large enough scale, is stronger, freer and more masterly than justice.

16 At 347e, Socrates switches to pursuing a new question. What is this other question, and why does he regard it as being more important? 348d: T gives his answer Socrates begins his refutation, again, with getting agreement from T - 349b-d

17 At 350c, Socrates concludes his argument: Then, a just person is like a clever and good one, and an unjust is like an ignorant and bad one. How does Socrates arrive at this? Let s look at 352a-d... (to what degree is the unjust person powerful?)

18 Socrates wraps up this portion of the argument by appealing to functions. Each object has a function (what one can only do or do best with the thing) Each thing that has a function also has a virtue. (which allows the thing to perform its function well)

19 The soul (psuche) has a function. The soul has a virtue (which allows it to perform its function well). A good soul performs its function well (and a bad soul...) Justice is the virtue of the soul And so a Just man will live well; an Unjust man will live badly.

20 At this point, Thrasymachus departs. But Socrates is not yet finished with the argument. In Book 2, Glaucon renews Thrasymachus argument, and seems to put it in an even stronger form.