Plato philosophy paper

Plato philosophy paper

In Plato’s Republic, he explains his theory of the city Kallipolis. This city involves three types of people; mainly rulers, guards, and craftsmen. The question of the role of artists in the city is discussed as whether or not they should be allowed and in what ways they would or would not benefit the city. The question is discussed by Socrates who provides an insight as to how and why artists affect those who view their work.
Socrates describe the roles of the guards rulers and craftsmen in his city. Rulers decide what should be taught to the guards, who protect the cities freedom. It is explained how in order to be effective one must focus on one craft, whether it be the guards craft of keeping the cities freedom, or a cobbler, or a blacksmith. In order for an individual to be an asset to the city he must focus on one craft in order to master their trade or be productive. It would be difficult for one person to dabble in multiple trades because they would not be able to master or be as productive as possible in one particular area if they subject their time to different areas of work.
The question also arises as to what should be taught to the guards in order for them to effectively keep the city prosperous. Rulers supervise what the story tellers teach the guards at a young age since that children are most vulnerable to what they hear. The guards would be taught in such a way in order for them to be “as god-fearing and godlike as human beings can be” (383c). The rulers would be knowledgeable in the true stories as well as the false stories in order for them to know what to enforce storytellers to teach to the children. Rather than be taught about all of the stories written by poets such as Homer, which involve gods causing wars or harm, they would be taught stories where gods are good and are therefore not harmful. “Gods are simple and true in word and deed. He doesn’t change himself or deceive others by images, words, or signs, whether in...