Leader: Wendy Seefried
Chapters 3-7
Plato
History
B. 427 B.C.
Age 23- end of Peloponnesian war
Age 28 – Socrates put to death
This led him to question society, human nature, etc.
Plato is seen as the first to define Philosophy
What questions was he trying to answer?
What is Justice in the society and the individuals?
Who would determine this perfect justice?
There are three parts to society: Guardians, Auxiliaries (Warriors), and Producers
Socrates did believe in the gods, but he felt some had misunderstandings of them.
Socrates may have been a transitional figure from the old Greek system to the one true God, because he thought truth and goodness did come from god.
Chapters 3-7 are mostly Socrates view of what a perfect Society would be.
Most of the Plato’s dialogues are people asking him questions and Socrates/Plato asking other questions. He was criticized for not giving his own views, but just asking questions, so these chapters are his response.
Whispers of the one true God:
Book 2
Socrates believes that God is truly good. (379 c)
Line 517 – Cave Analogy, much in this passage resembles the one true God.
Universal author of all things beautiful and right, parent of light and of the lord of light in this visible world, and the immediate source of reason and truth in the intellectual; and that this is the power upon which he who would act rationally either in public or private life must have his eye fixed.
The Unequal Line
Intelligible / Visible
Which part is bigger?
The Cave Analogy
What is the connection between the unequal line and the Cave Analogy?
The outside (Intelligible) is much bigger than the inside (Visible).