Platos lie in the soul ancient history encyclopedia. Plato laments the hollow lifeless nature of the written word, in the phaedrus, complaining that one cannot interrogate a book. As in so many other cases, he sets the agenda for the subsequent tradition. In this hypothetical city he creates a censored educational system and abolishes the typical family structure in hopes that the society would be just. At the beginning of book 10, socrates returns to his frontal assault on the status and role of poetry in the ideal state. It is now clear that socrates himself is down in the cave, somewhat against his will, 2 attempting to help the interlocutors turn from the dark of ignorance to the light of knowledge and realize what is. Plato held that there are eternal standards of excellence and that poetry should be in harmony with those standards. His vessel for showing this is through the forming of an ideal city. Book 2 quotes then the first thing will be to establish a censorship of the writers of fiction, and let the censors receive any tale of fiction which is good, and reject the bad. Every utopia and every dystopia, in philosophy and in fiction, may be said to have been written with platos republic somewhere in the background. Apr 16, 2010 i dont agree with socrates about exiling poetry and it has to be pointed out that plato is probably, at least ironically, aware that the republic itself would be removed from the republic. This important greek philosopher had little respect for art or poetry. I cant vouch for this edition, compared with other existing publications but am forging ahead nonetheless in the hope that it is a decent version. I do not know entirely myself, but this might help answer that syllabus question.
Our question is whether he would allow the citizens of his republic to have access to social media. Glaucon is not persuaded by the arguments in the previous discussion 357a. Through these classes, the state would control the masses. Plato s famous political dialogue, the republic, had led a rather peaceful existence for 2,300 years, when its correct interpretation suddenly became the subject of an intense controversy. Then the first thing will be to establish a censorship of the writers of fiction, and let the censors receive any. Censorship is the subject of several dialogues in the republic, the major work of greek philosopher plato. Instead, the whole text is presented as told by socrates as he recalls the event. Near the end of book 4 socrates suggests the discussants should revert to the question of the comparative advantages of justice and the disadvantages of injustice. This idea of the censorship of the arts is continued in book iii. Platos ethics and politics in the republic stanford. Plato founded the academy, an educational institution dedicated to pursuing philosophic truth.
Must censor media, physical education, tragedy, epic poetry, god fables. What does socrates say about censorship in platos republic. The republic of plato seems in many respects divergent from the reality. His stance is perhaps summarized in book ii of the republic by the phrase that literature may be either true or false, i. Essay about censorship of the republic by plato plato. Implications of platos censorship of poetry in the republic 1914 words 8 pages in the republic, plato proposes the complete censorship of imitative poetry from his ideal city, arguing that it corrupts individuals souls and therefore has a negative effect on society, resulting in injustice within the city. Mar 04, 2015 while censorship is regularly demonized, perhaps it is imposed not only to hinder us, but to cultivate our own individual progression within society, as well as the progression of society as a whole. The republic and its censors 1 the republic is an exceedingly difficult text to write about. May 21, 2015 a core talk dealing with the topic of plato and censorship. The advocacy of censorship, including even form, sounded too much like socialistmore i put the book down for a couple of times for precisely that reason. The most famous summary of plato s philosophy is the allegory of the cave, found in book vii of his republic.
Aug 20, 2011 i was recently working on another project where i needed to read plato s republic and his allegory of the cave. Dec 17, 2011 platos forms of political governance and the best form. Value of truthcensorship and noble falsehood in platos republic. He also suggests the group pay attention to the different, less admirable forms of the state and of the soul. Platos views on censorship in the running of the state. Notice that already socrates emphasizes the importance of education and. Books ii and iii of the republic are notoriously difficult to teach. Readers here should be sure to coordinate platos remarks on poetry with the commentary in book 3, which constitutes the first phase of the discussion as the discussion unfolds in book 10, it turns out socratess most forceful charge against poetry is it. As well, he discusses the role of the philosopher at length in such an ideal society. This paper discusses the concept of imitation in plato and aristotle. Let us imagine it is 381 bce, and plato is researching for his new book about a hypothetical republic. What would plato 428348 bce have made of the internet and social media.
Censorship and its effects on society essay all ideas should be heard as censorship should be entirely abolished. According to the fable of the ring of gyges as told to socrates by glaucon, gyges started out as a shepherd of lydia who, after an earthquake, discovered an entrance to a cavern where he found among other marvels the statue of a horse made of brass. To therejectionof imitativepoetry,whichcertainlyought not to be received. True art is not fanciful and imitative, but simple and ideal,the expression of the highest moral energy, whether in action or repose.
Plato here prescribes for all the guardians, or military class, the normal greek education in music and gymnastics, purged of what he considers its errors. Value of truthcensorship and noble falsehood in platos. Education in platos republic character education santa. Sep 20, 20 in his great work, the republic, plato describes his idea of the ideal state, which would be organised into the guardians, ie. In these strange and unpredictable times i was drawn to platos the republic for the first time in the hope that some wisdom might prevail. Book ii, 357a368c coming on the heels of thrasymachus attack on justice in book i, the points that glaucon and adeimantus raisethe social contract theory of justice and the idea of justice as a currency that buys rewards in the afterlifebolster the challenge faced by socrates to prove justices worth. The republic by plato meet your next favorite book.
Because of their philosophical education, the guardians will have to understand the nature. And yet understanding his remarks about each of these topicsrhetoric and poetrypresents us with significant philosophical and interpretive challenges. But now, as book 5 opens, glaucon and adeimantus join forces with polemarchus and. In book one, the republics question first emerges in the figure of cephalus. But the republic is one of those books that is capable of resurrecting the soul of its author, with each new reading. He believes, as he talks to glaucon about it, that the best king is one who is the best of philosophers and the best at war. In platos republic, plato asks his teacher, brother, and friends what their opinion on justice is and what it means to be just and unjust.
Plato book ii of the republic on censorship aesthetics today. Chapter 1 introduction part 2 book i chapter 3 study questions part 4 book ii chapter 5 study questions part 6 book iii chapter 7 study questions part 8 book iv chapter 9 study questions part 10 book v chapter 11 study questions part 12 book vi chapter study questions part 14 book vii. The advocacy of censorship, including even form, sounded too much like socialist realism and ussr propaganda while sharing children and. In my philosophy of art course, we are discussing platos philosophy of art, by means of selections from statesman and books 3 and 10 of the republic, along with snippets from ion, phaedrus, and symposium in the republic, plato makes a systematic case for censoring all arts. Plato on censorship the art and popular culture encyclopedia. In book vi of the republic, socrates and glaucon discuss the character of the guardians who are to rule the ideal state. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the republic and what it means.
The republic book viii begins when plato has already arrived to his conclusion for the best form of government. Socrates examines the requirements of soldiers or guardians. I dont agree with socrates about exiling poetry and it has to be pointed out that plato is probably, at least ironically, aware that the republic itself would be removed from the republic. The philosophers descent into the cave hearkens back the first line of the book, i went down to the piraeus yesterday with glaucon 327a. The republic quotes from litcharts the creators of. So in many places socrates refers to what others are saying.
The idea, common on social media, that one opinion is as good as any other. Platos forms of political governance and the best form. Mar, 20 the republic constitutes one of the most influential works on which western society is founded. I was recently working on another project where i needed to read platos republic and his allegory of the cave.
And i suppose the best argument against censorship is the fact that we simply dont know what effects art has on us and can thus scarcely judge. Res publica is a socratic dialogue, authored by plato around 375 bc, concerning justice. Gallons of ink have been spilled on republic exegesis, and at least a few cupfuls went to a good cause. Ready to call it a night, theyre intercepted by a whole gang of their acquaintances, who eventually convince them to come hang out at polemarchuss house and have a nice, long chat.
Many of platos essays and writings survive to this day. It is a complex work, one that rambles due to the nature of it being a dialogue rather than a pure expository piece, but one with some interesting and applicable ideas within it nonetheless. Explore why platos republic, more than 2,000 years after its appearance, remains astonishingly relevant in its own right as it addresses questions such as. Plato on rhetoric and poetry stanford encyclopedia of. The republic by plato offers examples of ancient tomb.
It seems like it is mainly plato complaining about homer and hesiod, coupled. Cicero and augustine looked to plato as the model philosopher, and thomas mores utopia is an obvious homage to the republic. Plato acknowledges that many of the arts exhibit both figurative allegorical and literal meanings, but he argues that young children cannot always make distinctions between things literal and figurative. Implications of platos censorship of poetry in the republic 1914 words 8 pages in the republic, plato proposes the complete censorship of imitative poetry from his ideal city, arguing that it corrupts individuals souls and therefore has a negative effect. John i put the book down for a couple of times for precisely that reason. Nov 02, 2017 popper would have us believe that the republic is straightforwardly a blueprint for a perfect political order, a practical program for reform, revolution, or conquest of a community by an elite of selfproclaimed philosopherkings who will ruthlessly impose a rigid class hierarchy, a regime of eugenics and censorship, and a pitiless tyrannizing over individuals who are considered members. We must guarantee that the themes advanced in the fictive arts be morally uplifting. Platos account of education in the republic part 1. As written by plato, the republic does not have these indicators. Platos discussions of rhetoric and poetry are both extensive and influential.
Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Socrates main argument for censorship in the republic is to prevent harmful. In the ten book collection, plato discusses the construction of the just citystate and the just citizen of such a state. The state should prohibit the publication of any poetry that grossly violates the truth of divinity or tends to weaken human character. Censorship in platos republic in the republic, plato plays around with the argument that it is better to be just than unjust. In books ii and iii of the republic1, socrates argues for the general. In the republic, plato makes a systematic case for censoring all arts. To have good citizens, children must be well educated. This is a study guide from roger dunkles class on greek classics for the brooklyn college core curriculum series. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In the third book of the republic a nearer approach is made to a theory of art than anywhere else in plato. It is platos bestknown work, and has proven to be one of the worlds most influential works of philosophy and political theory, both intellectually. Is censorship of music and literature ever justifiable.
A core talk dealing with the topic of plato and censorship. In my philosophy of art course, we are discussing platos philosophy of art, by means of selections from statesman and books 3 greekms and 10 of the. Censorship is a contentious topic in modern society, and with the recent technological. In the republic, plato plays around with the argument that it is better to be just than unjust. Socrates, and hence socrates puppetmaster plato, have very specific ideas about the function of literature, to teach and the importance of censorship. In books ii and iii of the republic, socrates asserts that the stories told in his city must be censored before. As widely known books ii, iii and x in the republic contain various examples of. Implications of platos censorship of poetry in the republic. To have a good society, we must have good citizens. A guardian needs to be gentle to his own people, but harsh to others. The task of the platonic philosopher is to take up the ancient quarrel. The republic classics of moral and political theory. It is known as a socratic dialogue and is perhaps one of platos best known works.
Platos attitude to poetry and the fine arts, and the origins. Socrates does not seem very attractive in these sections. While censorship is regularly demonized, perhaps it is imposed not only to hinder us, but to cultivate our own individual progression within society, as well as the progression of society as a whole. Plato and aristotle argue that artist demiurge and poet imitate nature, thus, a work of art is a relection of nature.
Thrasymachus is now out of the dialogue, having gracelessly told socrates that socrates was all along seeking to do thrasymachus personal injury in making him look bad in the argument and that socrates probably cheated somehow in achieving the final rebuttal. There plato asks readers to imagine prisoners chained to a bench, facing the wall of a deep cave. Jan 21, 2012 the republics overall argument for censorship thus combines a particular conception of morality with religion and authoritarian politics. Part of the project required me to explore how plato s allegory of the cave could be considered a metaphor for the media and how we perceive news and current affairs. Therefore the guardian must be a lover of learning, a philosopher, educated from childhood in music and poetry, then given physical training. Plato advocated censorship of the arts, a totalitarian betrayal of human liberty. It seems like it is mainly plato complaining about homer and hesiod, coupled with some very strict views on censorship in the ideal state. Part of the project required me to explore how platos allegory of the cave could be considered a metaphor for the media and how we perceive news and current affairs. If one were to read the republic as a manual for statecraft, this clearly sounds like religious censorship, however plato was primarily concerned with the nature of ultimate reality which he called the one or the good. Plato s criticism of the mythology is anticipated in part by euripides, xenophanes, heracleitus, and pythagoras. The influence of plato and of the republic has been incalculable. Plato recognizes the struggle for existence spencer, data of ethics, 6, and the bellum omnium contra omnes,laws 625 e.
Its formation is along the lines plato laid out in the republic. The republic, book i plato note that i have added name indicators to identify whose words are being communicated throughout the dialogue. The republic can be seen as describing the steps one needs to take to prime themselves for a vision of the idea of the good. His line of thought raises questions such as, how do you know whether your most deeplyheld beliefs are valid or simply the result of your upbringing, culture, environment, and religion. The ideal city republic book 2 summary 2 of 2 duration. Plato s the republic is one of the more widely read works of philosophy of all time. Plato on censoring artists a summary stephen hicks, ph. In book three of the republic, plato provides an account of the type of education or mousike, which is best translated as education, but denotes something slightly different. After socrates asks his host what it is like being old 328de and rich 330drather rude, we might thinkcephalus says that the best thing about wealth is that it can save us from being unjust and thus smooth the way for an. Similarly that very dissimilar thinker, mandeville. In the book republic socrates tries to find the nature of justice and in order to do so, socrates uses censorship and falsehoods to create a fictional perfect city. Our story begins as socrates and his friend glaucon head home from a festival. The republics overall argument for censorship thus combines a particular conception of morality with religion and authoritarian politics.
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