Summer Brotman
Professor Hwang
Philosophy 003- Ethics
26 February 2017
Summary of: The Republic, pages 1-13
Book One of The Republic encloses questions about justice through the eyes of Socrates, Plato’s teacher. Plato writes about how Socrates is stopped on his way home from a festival, and invited to Polemarchus’ estate to catch up with familiar friends. It is here where Socrates and Polemarchus’ father— Cephalus— reminisce about the peace and wisdom age brings. This specific talk of age, to money and the greatness associated with their social status and amounts of money. Cephalus is quick to state that money is owed to him because he worked for it, and that it is justly his because he was driven as opposed to inheriting it. Socrates points out that people who earn it are attached to it, as opposed to inheriting it.
This spirals into a question of what is unjust and just; Cephalus exclaims that people who are unjust in this life will be punished in the next. Cephalus also explains the process of his earnings, stating that he is honest and plans to give his sons the same amount of money that he himself had inherited, as this creates equality and fairness. Socrates spins the argument, claiming that certain …show more content…
Just like in real life, Socrates essentially changes people’s minds after he argues with them. He gives people the ability to question the standards of their surrounding and as a result— morals. During Socrates’ real life, this is essentially frowned upon and as a result, he is given the choice of exile or execution. Plato essentially sets up the stage to effectively display what became of his teacher after he questioned those who are seen as holy and powerful. Socrates’ rhetoric changed the younger generation, incorporating change within the system. Pages 1-13, in my opinion, are the building blocks of the real life events, which occur with change in the younger generation. (i.e. Cephalus’
Professor Hwang
Philosophy 003- Ethics
26 February 2017
Summary of: The Republic, pages 1-13
Book One of The Republic encloses questions about justice through the eyes of Socrates, Plato’s teacher. Plato writes about how Socrates is stopped on his way home from a festival, and invited to Polemarchus’ estate to catch up with familiar friends. It is here where Socrates and Polemarchus’ father— Cephalus— reminisce about the peace and wisdom age brings. This specific talk of age, to money and the greatness associated with their social status and amounts of money. Cephalus is quick to state that money is owed to him because he worked for it, and that it is justly his because he was driven as opposed to inheriting it. Socrates points out that people who earn it are attached to it, as opposed to inheriting it.
This spirals into a question of what is unjust and just; Cephalus exclaims that people who are unjust in this life will be punished in the next. Cephalus also explains the process of his earnings, stating that he is honest and plans to give his sons the same amount of money that he himself had inherited, as this creates equality and fairness. Socrates spins the argument, claiming that certain …show more content…
Just like in real life, Socrates essentially changes people’s minds after he argues with them. He gives people the ability to question the standards of their surrounding and as a result— morals. During Socrates’ real life, this is essentially frowned upon and as a result, he is given the choice of exile or execution. Plato essentially sets up the stage to effectively display what became of his teacher after he questioned those who are seen as holy and powerful. Socrates’ rhetoric changed the younger generation, incorporating change within the system. Pages 1-13, in my opinion, are the building blocks of the real life events, which occur with change in the younger generation. (i.e. Cephalus’