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We continue our discussion of Plato’s Republic with passages 357(a)-376(c) in which Socrates, Adeimantus, and Glaucon discuss the foundation of justice, social organization, and the institution of a class of Guardians.

Glaucon begins with an inquiry into one kind of good, and the pursuit of justice for its own sake. Are we by nature inclined to injustice, requiring regulation by social contract? Socrates proposes they investigate first “what sort of thing justice is in a city and afterwards look for it in the individual, observing the ways in which the smaller is similar to the larger.” He asks, “If we could watch a city coming to be in theory, wouldn’t we also see its justice coming to be, and its injustice as well?”

The initial functions of the theoretical city they proceed to construct fulfill the necessities of living, providing a life of peace and good health for the citizens to bequeath to their children. But when Glaucon compares such a steady state of being to the raising of animals and proposes the addition of luxuries to dispel hardship, Socrates describes the transition as being from a condition of health to one of fever in which the evolution of justice and injustice can nonetheless be explored.

To sustain its luxuries, the feverish city requires greater resources and territory, and defence by a rare breed of individual constituting a class of Guardians. How will their education render the Guardians immune from the temptations of injustice? In our contribution to society are we suited to one task only by natural aptitude, incapable of our own guardianship? Where is the place of reason and the good in the theoretical city, and where do we divide the line to distinguish knowledge from opinion as discussed in our previous episode?

We will explore these and other aspects of Plato’s text and wherever our discussion leads Plato, without a doubt, would have imagined no better way than in dialogue for knowledge – the account of the reasons why – to multiply its connections. We welcome the sharing of all perspectives, whether you are new to or experienced with Plato. Recordings of our previous episodes are at https://open.spotify.com/show/53Zvjr7avMylQgNqfqBxlk?si=ksA1Hp7TQn6BwghRqI26GA&dl_branch=1 and other popular podcast platforms.

This episode will be recorded in voice only without video, using first name as it appears on your screen profile, and podcast for those who would like to share in our knowledge. After the recording ends, participants are welcome to remain for a half hour of “Plato’s Café”, a casual discussion of your choice of themes from any of Plato’s works, or philosophy in general.

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APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK BEFORE THE MEETUP: Please visit https://1drv.ms/u/s!AqvPwkIofv4UaFldrPpbva3VSXI?e=3Y7PjP for questions and themes that we might address, as well as those explored in our previous meetups. We will also post the reading list for our next meeting which will generally be scheduled every two weeks on Sunday at 10 a.m. eastern. During our dialogue, participants are encouraged to relate their comments to Plato's text, referring to the Stephanus number for the passage so others can follow in the reading. Participants are also encouraged to read the text aloud for the meaning of the written word to resonate.

There are many translations of Plato's works available, of varying quality. Your public library will have multiple editions. A free translation of The Republic is available at https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/150, although lacking in explanatory notes and passage reference numbers that would be useful for our discussion. Participants in our entire series might be interested in purchasing Plato: Complete Works (https://www.amazon.ca/Plato-Complete-Works/dp/0872203492/).

The Meetup will take place on Zoom. Please RSVP to access the Zoom link at your Meetup account.

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