Republic, Utopia

Author: (Greece) Plato (Plato)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-04-01
Features: Unlike the early dialogues, The Republic continues to lead towards certain conclusions. Starting from the second book, Plato's Glaucon joins the dialogue, and the subsequent conversation mainly takes place between him and Socrates, with Plato's Adeimantus occasionally chiming in. They argue that the essence of justice lies within the soul, and the benefits or drawbacks of justice depend on its impact on the soul. Therefore, it is not enough to discuss only the external manifestations of justice—laws—and its superficial consequences—how unjust individuals often profit. Socrates states that to understand justice within the individual soul, one must first discuss the justice of the state, just as a large letter is easier to recognize than a small one.