Study Questions: Plato Republic, Books I - III

Issue	Background	Question	Analysis/Discussion
The issue in the Republic is the nature of Justice. The question, as it is initially proposed is what makes a person just or unjust. The discussion evolves into one of the nature of justice in a city since, presumably, it is easier to see what justice is in such a public context than within the soul of a single individual. Nonetheless, the principal question is what counts as justice in one’s own life.	Socrates is discussing the nature of Justice with some friends.  The discussion leads to the issues of the types of people, the parts of the soul, and the ideal society.	1.  Briefly explain the first three definitions of justice given in Book I: telling the truth and returning what you receive?  giving each his due?  the advantage of the stronger?  2.  What is the value of justice?  Why be just? 3.  Describe the disagreement between Socrates and Thrasymachus about what justice is. 4.  Explain the Myth of Gyges (359d ff.) and Socrates' response	When explaining points in the text, be sure to focus on the arguments made. Consider how Thrasymachus' account of justice and Adiemantus' Myth of Gyges imply certain facts about human nature.  What sort of alternative account of human nature must Socrates' response be based on?