The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2010
Abstract
On one of the most common readings of the Republic, Plato means for us to agree with Socrates and his interlocutors that their aristocratic city is the just polis. For convenience, I call this the political reading. It is no wonder, of course, that this interpretation is as common as it is, since it might be one of the most natural interpretations of the Republic. I argue, though, that it faces a serious problem: Socrates and his interlocutors’ argument for the justice of the aristocratic city has certain deficits, and—more important—there is considerable evidence that Plato was aware of at least one of these deficits and that he thought it was obvious enough for his readers to see.
Recommended Citation
Marshall, Mason, "A Problem for the Political Reading of Plato's Republic" (2010). The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter. 347.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/sagp/347
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Ancient Philosophy Commons, History of Philosophy Commons
Notes
Mason Marshall presented “A Problem for the Political Reading of Plato’s Republic” to the Society at its meeting with the American Philological Association in Anaheim in 2010.
For information about the author see: http://seaver-faculty.pepperdine.edu/jmarshal/