Political Essay
ljj
PlatoApril6.pptxOutline of today’s lecture
Recap
Justice in the individual: the tripartite soul
Plato’s concept of human nature
What is Platonic politics?
Plato’s metaphysics
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Recap
Socrates’ account of justice: the right functioning of the soul
Telos: purpose, function, goal
What does it mean to think teleologically?
What does the ideal city look like? (and remember, the city is an analogy for the soul)
Cooperative specialization, hierarchy/rulership
2
Justice in the individual: the tripartite soul
3 parts of the soul (just like the city, p. 130: 435 b-c; p. 135: 440 e) :
Reason
spirit (thymos)
appetites
p. 137, 442 d: “The temperate man...”
p. 137: “the source of this behaviour is ….”
p. 138: “justice, like health….”
For Plato, justice = Higher parts of our nature should rule lower ones
p. 137, 443 d
3
Plato’s concept of human nature
erotic
complex
well-established hierarchy
Nature and nurture
There are better and worse ways to live
4
What is Platonic politics?
philosopher-kings
soulcraft
Relationship between politics and philosophy: p. 165, 473d)
5
But what is the likelihood of this marriage between philosophy and politics?
See the Allegory of the Cave, beginning of book VII.
But first ….
6
Plato’s metaphysics
What is metaphysics?
Plato’s Metaphysical position: classical realism
Theory of Forms (ideals):
Two worlds
2. Forms/ideal world vs. particular/material entities
Struggle between the material and the ideal world
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