Robert Matheny’s Reviews > Republic > Status Update

In book 8, Socrates, explores the four types of constitution: Timarchy, oligarchy, democracy, and despotism. He describes how each rises out of its predecessor and the corresponding character of the individual analysis to that type of constitution. He paints with broad brush strokes and doesn’t leave very much room for nuance. Thus, he leaves us no choice, but to agree with him I’m not yet. Sure if I do.

Book seven undertook the manner by which philosophers should be educated. In particular, they should apply themselves to subjects that, in discussing present realities, point toward ultimate reality. For Socrates, these are mathematics, geometry, the study of the third dimension, astronomy, and harmony. They should study as young men, then return at 50 after years engaged in practical employment.

Book 6 discussed why philosophers are uniquely qualified to lead Plato’s republic, and how they might be tested and prepared to do so. It ended with a discussion of the following statement “None will know the just and the beautiful satisfactorily till he knows the good.”

No now, Socrates, has described the growth of a city interdependent and specialized folks who participate in exchange and protect the city. He then describes how children in this city should be taught so that they are endowed with the appropriate scruples to engage in the life of the community in a mutually beneficial manner…through education about the god described as ultimate good, ineffable, and immutable.

So far we’ve tackle the concepts of justice and injustice. How is it that justice, constrained by virtue, is stronger than injustice with its access to opportunistic advantages? Here, Socrates argues the just man is happier because he is not internally conflicted. Thus, the reward of just is a sort of internal consistency and peace.