Republic by Plato PDF
Plato’s Republic is one of the best books ever read worldwide. Being influential, it raises questions about justice and ruling. Learning a deep analysis of society in Plato’s Republic PDF is best for this purpose. It will leave a thought-provoking impact on politics and the thoughts and views.
Plato is considered the greatest philosopher in the world. He created an academy in Athens, which is considered west first. His thoughts have had an impact on politics, education and morale till now.
Plato’s Republic is written in the form of a dialogue. He discusses justice, real state and human soul. Plato highlights the point of what justice is. What should be the role of justice in the state, and for this purpose he presents the draw of an ideal state. He also divides into three parts: the ruler, soldier and producers. Justice is done when everyone performs their duty.
Summary of the Republic
The Republic book is divided into 10 sections, and every section covers justice, morality, and different aspects of the state. The book I-IV begins with justice praise. Socrates analyzes different people’s ideologies, and one claims that justice is the wish of the powerful.
Socrates denies this claim and argues that justice is equal for both persons and society. Justice is not limited only to the powerful. Plato argues the human soul consists of three pillars: intellect, emotion and desires, in the same way an ideal state should consist of ruler, governor and worker.
In books five to seven, Plato presents a draw of the utopian state. He says rulers should be those who have real knowledge. The knowledge of wisdom cannot only be observed. He also claims that the rulers should not have any personal property or in their family. The ruler’s faith should be only with the state. Having not any personal property he will work for welfare for the people.
Plato claims every citizen should be given knowledge of math, taking exercise and philosophy training. Education trains the human mind and soul. The study of philosophy leads to human truth and that is good for an ideal state.
In books eight to ten Plato tells about state decline. An ideal state does not remain consistent, it becomes a victim of fall. A timocracy is born when an ideal state prefers war and power over philosophy and education. After timocracy, oligarchy occurs. It happens when wealthy people come into power and start ruling. The power people are ignoring, and rich people rule over them.
When people turn their intentions against oligarchy, democracy emerges, where everyone has equal rights to freedom and equality. Plato criticizes democracy and considers it an emotional system. In a democracy, everyone lives according to their own desires, and discipline no longer remains.
After democracy Plato criticized Tyranny, one of the cruelest systems and it has no freedom and justice. Tyranny stands for wishes and dreadful things. It is done to save himself and push others.
Theme in the Republic
What is justice:
To answer “what is justice” Plato has observed different people’s thoughts. For normal people justice is what the powerful wants. A ruler should have the power to decide justice. Plato answers that real justice is what makes a whole society.
Ideal State Dream:
Plato has discussed some elements of an ideal state. First of all he claims rules should be philosophy because they understand truth. They have no kind of fear such as money or power. They take decisions by their mind not by their emotion. He divides the society into more sections.
The Search of Truth:
By this Plato idea we get a chance to understand the truth. There are some prisoners in the cave and their necks are turned one side. They see only shadow on the wall and consider it reality. If one prisoner is released, he sees only sunlight, he will know the reality of the world. The philosophy is one who leads to truth and makes a path for others.
Criticize on Democracy:
Plato considered democracy a weak system. It has some reasons for weakness. People are emotional in democracy. They perceive by their heart but not by their mind and they make wrong decisions. An ineligible leader came into power because of good slogans. In democracy rich people get the power and exploit the poor.