Why Plato's Republic STILL Matters | Are You Lost In The Cave?

Why Plato’s Republic Is Still Important

Plato's "Republic" explores justice, the ideal state, and the nature of the soul through a dialogue led by Socrates. The work is structured as a discussion among several characters, primarily Socrates and Glaucon.

Key themes include:

1. Justice: Socrates seeks to define justice, arguing that it is about harmony in both the state and the individual. Justice involves each part fulfilling its role.

2. The Ideal State: Plato outlines a tripartite society: rulers (philosopher-kings), warriors, and producers. Each class corresponds to a part of the soul: rational, spirited, and appetitive.

3. The Allegory of the Cave: This metaphor illustrates the difference between the world of appearances and the world of forms (true reality). It suggests that many people live in ignorance, mistaking shadows for reality.

4. Theory of Forms: Plato posits that non-material abstract forms (like beauty and justice) are the most real, as they represent true knowledge.

5. Education: The importance of education in shaping the soul and preparing individuals for their roles in society is emphasized, particularly for future leaders.

Overall, "Republic" is a foundational text in Western philosophy, posing deep questions about ethics, governance, and the human condition.

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[The_Cause]

Welcome to The Republic! Hope you enjoy Plato’s epic masterpiece. Let me know down below what you think of this book? I would love to hear your thoughts!
The best tasting coffee can be found below and yes, I am bias!

[curthoff]

Rob, I find you so interesting and calming to listen to. I would love to sit down and have a coffee with you. Thank you for this series and all you do. You are amazing.

[redcrossreborn]

Great vid! Someone told me that if you read Plato's Laws, it goes deeper into the ideas in Plato's Republic. Though not as exciting a read.

I'm slowly reading through the Great Books to remediate my poor government education and your channel is a blessing to that effort. Thanks for doing this!

[Whunterth]

Hope to become a truly educated father that can prepare my children like you are striving to do. As always amazing work. God bless you and your family.

[devanrohrich]

Absolute class!

We need an education rooted in Great Books

[BenjaminSpurr]

Rob this is brilliant! Thank you for reading and posting this

[terabyter]

Great analysis, thanks for the video. Keep holdin' that coffee mug up.

[darrylfriesen]

Your overview and review was absolutely excellent, Rob! I urgently need to read this book—can’t wait to get to this volume in the Oxford Classics series!! Thank you for all you’re doing to fight the good fight, Rob!

[hephaestusfortarier]

Nice timing haha, I’m actually reading the republic right now. Great video.

[Kvell]

This is a nice overview of Plato’s Republic. It’s so important to learn the foundational works of our Western Civilization. The American Founders were certainly knowledgeable of the classics. I just want to recommend a book that I just finished reading, America’s Constitution-A Biography by Akhil Reed Amar. It’s an in-depth look at how the constitution was created and evolved over time. Definitely worthwhile.
Thank you Rob for keeping us so motivated.

[TheD]

Love your work, you do great outreach.

[tlw]

A republic! if you can keep it!, Benjamin Franklin

[siegfriedderheld]

Rob, it’s sitting on my coffee table TAUNTING me. I’ve read parts…no, I’m not giving in. I just finished Phaedro and the Symposium. No more dialogues! (Enjoy the book on education of the aeons). No, I’m not giving in. 😊 Did you finish Paradise Lost? As always, your videos are outstanding. God’s peace my friend! Mike

[CheapSeats]

@The_Cause, is your new Plato inspired “Light and the Darkness” Coffee ALREADY sold out??? 😅

[shedactivist]

Great stuff. I just read The Republic and I was struck by Socrates' assertion that the ideal republic can be 'engineered' and 'maintained' as described in the first half of the book, and yet he then points out all the reasons why it can't be maintained/sustained. Education is the key but how do we know if he who decides the curriculum has the best of intentions. Relying on Guardians who all have the capacity for evil or imbalance of virtues, etc, etc. I think the modern experiment that is the USA, which is only 250 years old, is a perfect example that Plato had it all sussed 2, 500 years ago.

[CheapSeats]

Out of the cave and on to the Social Contract and Discourses…

Persevere

[BookZealots]

I'm behind! I still need to read book one before I can read book three.
Thank you for saying America's republic! 👍👍🤗
When are you starting book four?
The moral compass needs to be repaired

[RobPirieCedarOtaCoffee]

We ant saving nothing without coffee... A Utopia without coffee is a Dystopia... Plato missed that.

[asdisskagen]

"the unwitting employment of people who are unsound and bogus..." Heh, that describes every politician ever. 😂 - “In most cases, those who want power probably shouldn't have it, those who enjoy it probably do so for the wrong reasons, and those who want most to hold on to it don't understand that it's only temporary.” ― John C. Maxwell

On another note, while I am not typically a fan of destroying institutions that have been built over time, I do believe that the American-style education system was corrupt from its inception and should be completely wiped and rebuilt, preferably with a focus on Classical Liberal Education.

[clearance-zl]

Drove by my local Chick-fil-A. Two lines of cars winding around through the parking lot to handle their lunch time collection of donations but, sadly, I couldn't help but notice their tiny flag. They used to be known for having the biggest flag for miles. I mean, it was so big it could be seen from the moon. Today, the drug store's flag next door is three times bigger.