Glaucon in the Republic - 1047 Words

In Platos Republic, Glaucon is introduced to the reader as a man who loves honor, sex, and luxury. As The Republic progresses through books and Socrates arguments of how and why these flaws make the soul unhappy began to piece together, Glaucon relates some of these cases to his own life, and begins to see how Socrates line of reasoning makes more sense than his own. Once Glaucon comes to this realization, he embarks on a path of change on his outlook of what happiness is, and this change is evidenced by the way he responds during he and Socrates discourse. The first change in character begins with Glaucons position on whether or not the unjust soul is happier than the just soul. This is seen in Book 4, 445b, when he argues†¦show more content†¦Glaucons statement indicates fear Ââ€" he worries about going back down to the cave or, returning to his former ignorance. This shows that Glaucon has not only embraced the idea of the cave, differing from his initial confusion, but he has also realized and accepted the truth and reasoning of Socrates. He has become the cave dweller who has been given the chance to escape, and he now fears going back. The next example of Glaucons transformation is during Book 9, 576e, when he states that there is no city more wretched than one ruled by a tyrantÂ…. Socrates is discussing how the four types of inferior souls bring about the ruin of the city. He then poses to Glaucon the question of whether a city ruled by a tyrant or philosopher-king is happier, in which he compels Glaucon to examine the whole of the city, and not just one or a few people who are a part of it, (or, the whole of the soul and not just one part over the exclusion of others). Glaucons response demonstrates that he now sees that the one who possesses power and riches is, in reality, is unhappy than the one who possesses knowledge and truth of self and the forms. He is answering his own question that he introduced in Book 2, and his answer is that the most just man, who is the philosopher-king in this dialogue, is happiest. The unjust man, being the tyrant, is unhappiest. This is expanded when Glaucon ranks the five actors in accordance to their contentment as heShow MoreRelatedThe Republic, Socrates And Glaucon1244 Words   |  5 PagesYezhen Li Professor David Goldman Philosophy 1300 11 September 2014 First Paper In sections 433-445 of The Republic , Socrates and Glaucon discuss about definitions and properties of both justice and injustice, with reference to the structure and condition of an ideal city with absolute justice. Considering the properties of justice and injustice, they conclude that just lives, even without anything desirable, are better than any other unjust lives. To start off, Socrates discusses about a justRead MoreThe Life Of Plato s Republic, Glaucon And Adeimantus1410 Words   |  6 Pages In Book II of Plato’s Republic, Glaucon and Adeimantus present a challenge to Socrates’ view of justice. Previously, in Book I of the Republic, Socrates presents several counterarguments to Thrasymachus’ belief that it is to your own advantage to practice injustice rather than to follow laws, if you can get away with it (Babcock). Glaucon and Adeimantus sought to present a stronger defense to Thrasymachus’ view. The main viewpoint they try to establish is that it is to our advantage to practiceRead MoreWhat Is Glaucon s Argument On The Republic? Do You Find It Persuasive?1751 Words   |  8 PagesWhat is Glaucon’s argument in the Republic? Do you find it persuasive? Give reasons for your answer. Glaucon’s argument in book II of Republic concerns the issue of justice. From the outset Glaucon explains that justice is a social contract that emerges - between people who are roughly equal in power - for the reason being that the pain of experiencing unjust actions is greater than the benefits accrued from inflicting it. (Plato, 2008) In this essay I will first outline his argument and explainRead More Platos Republic Essay1025 Words   |  5 PagesPlatos Republic In Plato’s Republic, Glaucon is introduced to the reader as a man who loves honor, sex, and luxury. As The Republic progresses through books and Socrates’ arguments of how and why these flaws make the soul unhappy began to piece together, Glaucon relates some of these cases to his own life, and begins to see how Socrates’ line of reasoning makes more sense than his own. Once Glaucon comes to this realization, he embarks on a path of change on his outlook of what happiness isRead MoreSocrates Virtuous Soul Analysis1234 Words   |  5 PagesThis philosophy study will argue against Socrates’ â€Å"virtuous soul† as the motivation for just acts in The Republic. Socrates’ argument for the â€Å"balanced soul† as a motivation for just acts is defined in relation to the contrasting arguments of his contemporaries, such as Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Adeimantus. This ideological view of the â€Å"virtuous soul† does not provide a pract ical explanation for the motivation of a â€Å"just act† in a hierarchical society. The argument of Thrasymachus defines justiceRead MoreThe Republic Does Justice Pay Essay548 Words   |  3 PagesThe Republic Does Justice Pay In the Introduction of Platos Republic, a very important theme is depicted. It is the argument of whether it is beneficial for a person to lead a good and just existence. The greatly argued position that justice does not pay, is argued by three men Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Adeimantus. By incorporating all three men into a collective effort I believe I can give a more flattering depiction of injustice. First, we must explore the basis of the moral skepticismRead MoreEssay about Plato1268 Words   |  6 Pagese.).[6] Besides Plato himself, Ariston and Perictione had three other children; these were two sons, Adeimantus and Glaucon, and a daughter Potone, the mother of Speusippus (the nephew and successor of Plato as head of his philosophical Academy).[6] According to the Republic, Adeimantus and Glaucon were older than Plato.[7] Nevertheless, in his Memorabilia, Xenophon presents Glaucon as younger than Plato.[8] According to certain reports of ancient writers, Plato s mother became pregnant throughRead MorePlato - Knowledge vs. True Belief Essay661 Words   |  3 Pagesresult, then true belief is no more useful than knowledge and both beneficial (Meno 97c). This comparison changes in book five of the Republic when Socrates says an ideal state must have a philosopher-king as a ruler (Republic 473d-e). Socrates and Glaucon conclude that knowledge and true belief are different powers so their natures cannot be the same (Republic 477c-478a). Knowledge is the most effective power, while true belief is only what enables you to believe. I think the most importantRead MoreThe Republic By Plato982 Words   |  4 PagesBook II of The Republic by Plato showcases the two very different views of Socrates and Glaucon in regards to the account of nature and origin of justice. Socrates and Glaucon discuss the theory presented by Glaucon that states that injustice is something that is intrinsically desired by all humans. Glaucon presents this argument to Socrates in order to understand and defend justice for its own sake. Glaucon seeks reassurance from Socrates that justice is not just only good for the positive consequencesRead MoreSocrates Plausible Case for Justice862 Words   |  4 Pagesfor justice. Socrates raised two main questions in the first two books of Plato’s Republic, what is justice? And why should we act justly? Thrasymachus and Glaucon both have different and more negative views of justice than Socrates. Throughout books one and two, Socrates, Glaucon and Thrasymachus go back and forth discussing the definition and application of justice in society. He starts his discussions with Glaucon and Thrasymachus by stating simply, â€Å"What is justice?† Thrasymachus states that