Philosophical Minds Zurich

Plato’s Republic

Wed, Jun 3 · 6:50 PM CEST

Kirche Bühl, Goldbrunnenstrasse 54, Zürich, CH

It is not unusual to hear scholars say that modern political philosophy is but a footnote to Plato’s Republic. In this foundational work, (Plato’s) Socrates and his interlocutors embark on a daring thought experiment: to define "Justice" by building an ideal city, Kallipolis, from the ground up. But a just city requires just people, and just people are such “by design”. Plato asks two questions. What does culture pour into us from the outside — and who are we becoming because of it? And what must the soul look like on the inside — so that those who lead us protect the city rather than devour it?
Using selected passages from Books II, III, and IV, we will move from ancient Athens to the present day to discuss two specific challenges:

The Problem of the Poets and the Role of Culture: In ancient Greece poets set the standards for culture. Their stories didn't just teach values, they gave citizens heroes to become. Who are our modern poets? Are they news outlets, algorithms, influencers, and screenwriters, who decide, at scale, which lives look admirable, heroic, and which virtues are worth the effort? What kind of citizens and leaders are they actually forming — and would we accept Plato's conclusion that the city cannot afford to leave this to chance?

The Paradox of the "Noble Dog": The Guardian (Plato’s chosen rulers class) must be "high-spirited" (thymos) to defend the city, yet "gentle" to protect its people. This is not a question of technical competence, but of character. How does a society train leaders who are powerful enough to act, but disciplined enough not to devour the state?
Plato wrote the Republic two and a half thousand years ago. The questions it raises have not been answered since, and may matter more now than ever. Join us in the attempt to think through Plato’s theory! Come and think them through with us. Prior reading is useful but not required.

Preparation:
Reading The Republic is a huge enterprise, but you can prepare for this event with these links:

Easy Path (articles)

• 0–5 minutes: The Britannica entry for a quick synopsis.
• 5–20 minutes: Chapter‑by‑chapter walkthrough of the dialogue’s main episodes and themes

Deeper Dive (videos, 45-50 minutes each)

• Books I-II
• Books III-IV
• Book V

You can find a free PDF version of the English text here.

For Philosophical Minds Zurich theme events in general:
At our theme events, we begin with a brief topic introduction, followed by engaging discussions in small groups. It’s all about conversation, not just listening. Also, please note, we keep the atmosphere relaxed and informal—there’s no pressure to speak in front of anyone.

Important: When you register for the event, please commit to it and don't be a NO SHOW. Presumably, when the ancient philosophers decided to go to an event, they kept to it.

We look forward to seeing you.

Payment: You can pay at the venue (Twint/Revolut/Cash). Thus, if you want to register at Meetup just click attend - no more needed ;).

We look forward to seeing you.