ipl-logo

The Noble Lie In Plato's The Republic

1355 Words6 Pages

What is justice? This is the crucial question that Plato attempts to answer in his dialogue, The Republic. He conjures up an allegory that justice can be found in a person, and a person can represent a city. Thus, his entire dialogue focuses on this ‘just’ city and the mechanics of how the city would operate. His dialogue covers a myriad of topics about justice in addition to the human soul, politics, goodness and truth. In his discussion over how the citizens should be educated and how to control their knowledge, the question of the ethical and realistic expectations of the city. However, the problem, or downfall, of Plato’s city is its foundation. A foundation of lies. Plato’s web of lies, falsehoods and manipulation make the entire city …show more content…

Plato’s noble lie is one of the most radical ideas to divide a city due to its heavy reliance on a lie and the successful manipulation of a great mass of people. Plato first introduces his noble lie when explaining to his friends how a guardian would be created: “All of you in the city are brothers…but god was moulding you, for those of you fitted to rule he used gold as part of the mixture…which is why you are the most valued, while for the auxiliaries he mixed in silver, and iron and bronze for the farmers and craftsmen” (415b-415d). By associating the most precious metal, gold, with the guardian group of society, Plato sections off the top twenty-fifth percent of the citizens like they’re more valuable, and so on with the auxiliaries, farmers and craftsmen. The noble lie belittles and reduces the bottom fifty-percent creating unhealthy and unstable relationships and standards in the just city which, in reality, are extremely unstable. Furthermore, Plato adds what would happen if two metals of different values were to mix and produce offspring. “And if their [gold or silver] very ow offspring turns out to be touches with bronze or iron, they won’t in any way feel sorry for it, but instead accord it the honor its nature …show more content…

Was Plato trying to show what an ‘unjust’ city would look like? Why would he do that? The analysis and discussion of Plato’s ‘just’ city opens new doors about Plato, himself, and his intentions. From this analysis on the city’s short comings, one can spring more and more ideas about his ‘republic’ and his ‘ideals’ forever. This one analysis is only a small interpretation, or perspective of a small portion, or passage of The

Show More
Related

  • Socrates Argue Of Justice In Plato's Republic

    342 Words  | 2 Pages

    the Republic, Socrates argues that justice ought to be valued both for its own sake and for the sake of its consequences (358a1–3). His interlocutors Glaucon and Adeimantus have reported a number of arguments to the effect that the value of justice lies purely in the rewards and reputation that are the usual consequence of being seen to be just, and have asked Socrates to say what justice is and to show that justice is always intrinsically better than is acting contrary to justice when doing so would win you more non-moral goods. Glaucon presents these arguments as renewing Thrasymachus’ Book 1 position that justice is “another’s good” (358b–c, cf. 343c), which Thrasymachus had associated with the claim that the rulers in any constitution frame

    Read More

  • 's Cave Allegory, Euthyphro, And The Apology

    1170 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout the last five weeks, I have read three of Plato’s dialogues: the cave allegory, Euthyphro, and the Apology. While reading them, I was able to see Plato’s view of a philosophical life. To live philosophically is to question appearances and look at an issue/object from a new perspective. In this essay, I will explain Plato’s cave allegory, Socrates’ discussion with Euthyphro, and the oracle story in the Apology.

    Read More

  • Socrates Argument At 50a-B Of The Crito

    1118 Words  | 5 Pages

    Socrates compares the relationship between a citizen and a city to that of a child and a parent. Athens has nurtured Socrates in body and mind, given him an ideal environment to raise his own children in, to give him a platform to exhort people to be virtuous (Crito, 51a). As any child benefits from the protections and provisions of a parent, he must also obey the parent when it requires something of him. So, Socrates considers it his civic duty to obey Athens wishes since he has benefited from his citizenship. Socrates reaches a conclusion that defies a common-sense understanding of

    Read More

  • Thrasymachus Definition Of Justice In Plato's The Republic

    2106 Words  | 9 Pages

    When all the functions of society are performed by the rightful class, the resulting outcome will be justice. Each class has a duty to perform the responsibilities they are naturally best fit for and should refrain from executing another’s job. The state will be unjust if meddling occurs as it directly goes against the true definition of justice according to Plato. When the auxiliaries try to perform the role of the rulers or the workers attempt to be a guardian, the state is damaged and the exchanging of roles in the society will lead to the ultimate destruction of the state. The fourth virtue of a just city is justice because when each component of the state performs its main purpose, justice can be

    Read More

  • Conceptual Reconstruction: The Dialogue Of The Crito, By Plato

    1421 Words  | 6 Pages

    In conclusion, it is shown that the ethics of Socrates and Plato can be understood by examining the works of the Crito, Meno and Phaedo. Plato 's philosophical concept in these three dialogues is mostly about denying what the self wants, either normal things like food and earthly desires or trying to gain knowledge, and instead, choosing what is just and right. This is Plato’s concept of a good life. From this quest for knowledge, virtue is obtained, and this is the main goal of philosophy in Socrates ' mind. Laws must be made in accordance with wisdom by those who practice philosophy, and must seek to benefit the city as a whole.

    Read More

  • John Locke's Concept Of Justice

    1751 Words  | 8 Pages

    Plato regarded justice as the true principle of social life. Plato in his day found a lot of evil in society. He saw unrighteousness rampant and injustice enthroned.

    Read More

  • Socrates: Plato's Decision To Accepting The Death Penalty

    1434 Words  | 6 Pages

    Therefore, since Athens has a part to play in corrupting Socrates’s life as well as his mistaken visual of the truth, Socrates must understand that by obeying the state, he has done injustice to his soul for it will not be in true harmony. Furthermore he will be doing an injustice to the state because Plato would have established that, objectively, Athens laws are unjust and even if Socrates thinks that they are just, it is only because Socrates has been corrupted by

    Read More

  • Plato's Republic: Just Or Unjust?

    832 Words  | 4 Pages

    Plato's Republic is centered on one simple question: is it always better to be just than unjust? This is something that Socrates addresses both in terms of political communities and the individual person. Plato argues that being just is advantageous to the individual independent of any societal benefits that the individual may incur in virtue of being just. I feel as if Plato’s argument is problematic. There are not enough compelling reasons to make this argument.

    Read More

  • Socrates Definitions Of Justice In Plato's The Republic

    1169 Words  | 5 Pages

    According to Socrates there are two types of justice, the political justice and the justice of a particular man. As we know, city is bigger than a man. Socrates believes that it is easier to find justice at the political level which means in the city, thus he tries to define a just city from scrap, and will see in which stage justice enters. Also, Socrates tries to find justice in the city before finding justice in the individuals because individuals are not at all self-sufficient. We humans have similar needs such as food, clothing and shelter and in order to accomplish these goals human beings form unions, where each and every individual specializes in a field.

    Read More

  • Socrates And Crito Argumentative Analysis

    1382 Words  | 6 Pages

    Socrates believes that justice benefits the just, but also benefits the city (other people) too. He is faced with a seemingly simple choice, escape Athens or remain in prison and be sentenced to death. Socrates’ central argument against escaping his circumstances is twofold. First, Socrates argues that “one must never do wrong.” (49b)

    Read More

  • Argument Of Justice In Plato's Book 1 Of The Republic

    732 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Book 1 of the republic, by Plato, we are introduced to two central figures in the argument of justice, Socrates and Thrasymachus. Thrasymachus claims that justice is the advantage of the stronger. Socrates then asks if his understanding, that what is beneficial to the stronger is just and must be beneficial to the weaker people, to which Thrasymachus replies that no, this is not so. He explains that justice is that which obtains the advantage of the stronger.

    Read More

  • Plato Vs Machiavelli

    429 Words  | 2 Pages

    Plato and Machiavelli were nevertheless, as similar as they were different on their beliefs in an idealistic government. Both of their ideas have been taught for years, and are certainly essential to understand how they interpret a perfect polis. Plato emphasis the question on what is justice for the people as well as for the Kallipolis and whether a just person is better off than an unjust person. Ethical beliefs are Plato’s main focus in a government.

    Read More

  • Kallipolis: The Ideal City In Plato's Republic

    2090 Words  | 9 Pages

    In Plato’s book Republic, he outlines the ideal just society. Through his written dialogue, Plato describes the ideal city. He calls this city Kallipolis and that is where I am from. Kallipolis means beautiful city. The city was outlined to be a healthy city where justice prevails.

    Read More

  • Plato's Concept Of The Noble Lie

    2004 Words  | 9 Pages

    The concept of the Noble Lie is presented by Plato in the Republic. In Republic, Plato is engaged in creating an ideal political community, through the noble lie. The Noble Lie, ironically, despite being a lie, is still recognized as ‘noble’ by Plato since it aims to promote social welfare and harmony amongst the citizens. Plato’s idea of the noble lie led to the division of citizens into three distinct categories, namely, the rulers, the auxiliaries and the workmen . This paper will argue that Socrates principle of the Noble Lie must be considered justifiable under circumstances in which it intends to achieve moral ends.

    Read More

  • Just Society In Plato's Republic

    943 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Book IV of Plato’s Republic, Socrates and his peers come to the conclusion that a city is going to need people who have an understanding of what justice should be. Socrates at the end of Book IV can make the difference between individual, political, and social justice. He knows that individual and political justice is so much in common because they both weigh in heavy on truth, honor, and appetitive soul. That appetitive soul is an element that helps the secure the just community with love and support.

    Read More

More about The Noble Lie In Plato's The Republic

Open Document