POL200Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Glaucon, Noble Lie
Plato, Republic, Book II-III
Book II
1) Pay close attention to Glaucon’s attack on justice. Glaucon asserts this is a popular view.
Is it still? What would you – sorry – “your friend” do with a ring of Gyges? What does his
brother Adeimantus add to the critique?
2) What do you think of the method of searching for justice in a city in speech? (circa 369a).
Is this obviously the right mode of proceeding, especially if we want to find out about the
life of the just human being? Are cities and human beings obviously akin in the manner
that Socrates suggests?
3) Why does a city come into being, according to Socrates? How does this beginning shape
what he calls “the true city?”
4) Why does Glaucon object (372c) to the “true city”? When Socrates allows them to abandon
a city based on simple needs, what developments does this necessitate?
5) One of the things necessitated is the introduction of a guardian class. What seemingly
opposed qualities must be present in our guardians? The great topic of education is thus
introduced (376e) – what sort of education is it?
Book III
1) For most of book III Socrates will elaborate on the education of the guardians. You will
notice that what they are taught is strictly censored. What is the justification for it? What
sorts of stories are permitted?
2) The ending of this book is particularly important. What two purposes does the “noble lie”
(414c) serve? Why does Socrates expect so much resistance to it?
3) Why must the guardians not have private property? Related question for the beginning of
book IV – why is Socrates so concerned with economic equality?
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Document Summary
Book ii: pay close attention to glaucon"s attack on justice. What does his brother adeimantus add to the critique: what do you think of the method of searching for justice in a city in speech? (circa 369a). When socrates allows them to abandon a city based on simple needs, what developments does this necessitate: one of the things necessitated is the introduction of a guardian class. Book iii: for most of book iii socrates will elaborate on the education of the guardians. You will notice that what they are taught is strictly censored. What sorts of stories are permitted: the ending of this book is particularly important.
