In Book VII, Socrates attempts to find a methodical way to educate the citizens of his new state. He comes up with different areas of study such as Geometry, or Calculations, that should be available for children to learn. Interestingly enough, Socrates proposes that it shouldn’t be required that children learn these areas of study, and only those who take up all areas out of their own interest would be considered for guardian training. If the topics he chose to be taught lead all who learn them towards good and understanding, why would he make the study of such topics optional? Wouldn’t the knowledge of such topics only benefit the city as a whole? Later in Book V, after discussing the model of education he wants available to all citizens,
