The Theme Of Justice In Plato's Republic

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Plato’s Republic takes the reader on a journey with an ultimate goal of defining justice. Within this journey, Plato uses a character called, Socrates, to express his own views and opinions. Throughout the book, Socrates attempts to discover justice by examining the ideal state and the role that every citizen plays. Within this examination, Socrates establishes stern and demanding principles in order to ensure that the well-being of the entire city is always preserved. However, the deceptive and strict laws and ideas presented could mold the interpretation that Plato praises a totalitarian society. Also, through Socrates' construction of the city, he presents the recurring theme of the importance of education and the responsibilities that accompany knowledge and philosophical thinking. Nevertheless, due to Plato's description of the philosophical responsibilities, one could interpret that Plato uses the Republic as a forceful recommendation for a philosophical leader.
To begin with, it is important to address why Plato references the ideal state in the first place. In an argument between multiple characters, in particular, Socrates, Glaucon, and Thrasymachus, Socrates is challenged to explain why justice is stronger than
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Plato mentions this point in order to show that education has an importance in many different forms, especially in music and poetry. He states that an education in music and poetry allows someone to develop different emotions and passions within their soul that allow them to recognize when a piece of something is missing. More specifically, education in music and poetry allows a person to understand when something is undoubtedly dishonest, shameful, or

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