Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. Why does Glaucon mention the myth
of the Ring of Gyges? What intuition of ours is he trying to jog?
Why does
Plato go to such lengths to prove that there are three distinct
parts to the human soul? Explain both why he needs three aspects
to the soul, and also why these aspects need to be distinct and
independent from one another.
3. Why does Plato banish the poets
from his city?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Thrasymachus declares that
justice is nothing but “the advantage of the stronger.” What do
you think he means? Make sure your interpretation of the statement
explains how it serves as the challenge which the Republic sets
out to meet.
2. Why does Plato think that
the guardians should share all of their goods in common? Is this
the same reason that he thinks they should share spouses and children
in common, or is there a different reason for this?
3. According to Plato, what makes
the philosopher-king the best possible ruler? Do you agree with
his analysis?
4. What is the allegory of the
cave meant to illustrate? Explain how it does so. What primary conclusion
are we meant to draw from this extended analogy?
5. Plato’s just city goes through
three stages of development: trace these stages and explain why
each is necessary. In which of these three stages does justice reside?
Why?
6. What is Plato’s opinion of
erotic love? Of the five character types that he describes in detail,
with whom is erotic desire most closely associated? Relate this
to his discussion of sexual activity in Book III.
7. Why do you think Plato ends
the Republic by invoking the myth of Er?
