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Orhan Pelinkovic's Reviews > The Republic
The Republic
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Plato's Republic (c. 375 BCE) is a Socratic dialogue in which Socrates with his interlocutors devise a conceptually ideal State. Socrates is our protagonist who is leading the discussion and is clearly dissatisfied with his government and State's structure and its system of values and justice.
Plato describes an ideal State as one that encourages gender equality, education for all, meritocracy, and is ruled by no other than a philosopher-king. Nevertheless, Plato envisions a Republic that practices eugenics and enforces censorship on unsuitable writings and poems. A State in which the government is entitled to manipulate and deceive the public for the benefit of the State.
Plato describes the four forms of government and their characteristics and how one evolves from the other. Timocracy will end up transforming into an oligarchy, and oligarchy to the best available form of government, democracy. Although, excessive freedom in a democratic state will lead to tyranny. Plato bases and links the various State systems to the character of its people.
But the book has so much more to offer than dialogues on the various types of organized political States and governments.
Plato goes on to define a true philosopher as the one who yearns for knowledge of that which is eternal and unchanging and is not disturbed by things that come to be and decay. A philosopher contemplates the essence of a thing in search of a true understanding as this is the only way to enhance and elevate the soul towards the supreme good. He sees the dialectical method of reasoning as the most effective way to arrive at a truth, while knowledge attained by pure reasoning and logic is superior to the knowledge obtained by sense perception or experiences. Plato perceives the knowledge obtained by our five senses as just copies of the ideal form that only exists and is comprehensible by our intellect. But in order to attain this knowledge, one must first comprehend the abstract science of numbers, arithmetic, and geometry.
Reasoning is presented as the principal human cognitive power, followed by the process of discursive thinking, faith, and our ability to distinguish perceived images from reality. Similarly, our immortal soul's most elevated component is reason, as well, while the urges for honor and sensual pleasures are its lowest parts.
I read the book in my native Montenegrin language and I look forward to a reread in an English translation.
Plato describes an ideal State as one that encourages gender equality, education for all, meritocracy, and is ruled by no other than a philosopher-king. Nevertheless, Plato envisions a Republic that practices eugenics and enforces censorship on unsuitable writings and poems. A State in which the government is entitled to manipulate and deceive the public for the benefit of the State.
Plato describes the four forms of government and their characteristics and how one evolves from the other. Timocracy will end up transforming into an oligarchy, and oligarchy to the best available form of government, democracy. Although, excessive freedom in a democratic state will lead to tyranny. Plato bases and links the various State systems to the character of its people.
But the book has so much more to offer than dialogues on the various types of organized political States and governments.
Plato goes on to define a true philosopher as the one who yearns for knowledge of that which is eternal and unchanging and is not disturbed by things that come to be and decay. A philosopher contemplates the essence of a thing in search of a true understanding as this is the only way to enhance and elevate the soul towards the supreme good. He sees the dialectical method of reasoning as the most effective way to arrive at a truth, while knowledge attained by pure reasoning and logic is superior to the knowledge obtained by sense perception or experiences. Plato perceives the knowledge obtained by our five senses as just copies of the ideal form that only exists and is comprehensible by our intellect. But in order to attain this knowledge, one must first comprehend the abstract science of numbers, arithmetic, and geometry.
Reasoning is presented as the principal human cognitive power, followed by the process of discursive thinking, faith, and our ability to distinguish perceived images from reality. Similarly, our immortal soul's most elevated component is reason, as well, while the urges for honor and sensual pleasures are its lowest parts.
I read the book in my native Montenegrin language and I look forward to a reread in an English translation.
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Reading Progress
October 12, 2020
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October 12, 2020
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October 13, 2020
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philosophy
January 19, 2021
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November 30, 2021
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December 14, 2021
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Aurelia
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rated it 5 stars
Dec 15, 2021 06:28AM
A great review Orhan! This is one of my absolute favourites, I reread it many times and evey time I am blown away by its insights, incredible beauty and depth. Although I was in my first reading a bit shocked at the eugenics and the community of women and children, my understanding changed through the years.... Plato's ideal state are an image of the soul, and its excesses can plague every human soul. His search for harmony in that state is a search we all ought to do in order to make our souls more harmonious and thus more wise and content! It has become like a sacred text to me, for which I turn for spiritual guidance!
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Excellent summary of the book, Orhan. I read it a few years ago (in Russian) and remember that Plato's reflections left me with mixed feelings. Now your thoughtful review has helped me to refresh my knowledge of this book. Whilst reading it, I was thinking that "reasoning is a great ability but people do not always behave in a rational way, distinguishing between perceived images and reality may prove difficult, emotions may be overwhelming"... or something along those lines.Thanks for the review.
Fantastic review Orhan. I believe I have a copy of this book, but never got to read it. Some things are confusing. Nevertheless, his arguments remain fascinating.
Aurelia, thank you so much for your wonderful and insightful comment. I was a bit shocked, too, at some comments, particularly about the young boys. Although, it was s different time and culture. I thought Plato shines most when he discusses things in theory without giving examples. The way he structures and dissects his thoughts and the allegorical and symbolic tales he tells are full of deep meaning. I have to reread this wonderful book! It's my second "5-star" read this year :). But I am still a bit confused, do I say Plato or Socrates? :)
Exquisite and inspiring review, Orhan, as always illuminative and masterfully written. Timely for me also, because I am drawn to read it since I finished reading Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale'. The novel made me wonder if The Republic was a source of inspiration for Atwood in her depiction of the stratification of society. I have the impression that for centuries the main focus of Western philosophy was basically a discussion on his ideas on which way to attain knowledge is superior, reasoning and logic versus senses or experience.
Nika, thank you for your kind comment. So, you've read Platon :) too! I believe you're absolutely right about the human cognitive limitations and emotions that obstruct our behavior and reasoning. Your comment reminded me of when Leontius struggles with his desire to look at the dead bodies, where his reason says not look at dead bodies, but his desire says to look at dead bodies and ends up giving in to his desire; a battle between the two forces within us. You have a great memory, Nika :). I have to reread this masterpiece.
Thank you, Annette. I suppose it's one of those books that have to be studied and not just read. I look forward to coming back to it. I found Plato's theoretical knowledge and reasoning fascinating, although his examples weren't as convincing and at times contradictory. Thanks for reading :)
Thank you, Ilse, your kindness has no boundary :). Interesting comparison, I wonder, too. Reading 'The Republic' reminded me of so many thoughts discussed by the philosophers that followed; many Platonists out there! I believe you are right about the focus of Western Philosophy and I think I will spend much of my reading time in 2022 reading about which knowledge is superior; a priori and a posteriori :). Always a real pleasure, Ilse, reading your comments. Thank you.
As A.N. Whitehead said: “The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato. I do not mean the systematic scheme of thought which scholars have doubtfully extracted from his writings. I allude to the wealth of general ideas scattered through them”. Happy 2022 to you and yours, Orhan!
Wonderful and telling quotation, Ilse! Loved it! Happy New Year to you and your loved ones 💙
