Paper
Is the Lie Just?
People are always talking about the white lie and how this kind of lying doesn’t hurt other people. Other people feel that any lie is one that should not be made. No matter what individuals have to say about lies, Socrates feels that it is necessary to create a noble lie so that his vision of the just state, or kallipolis, can be created. The Myth of the Metals, Socrates myth, in no way contradicts his definition of justice in The Republic.
The so-called noble lie that Socrates puts together is called the Myth of the Metals. This is created to explain to those in the city the reason for their class position. It is brought about when Socrates is talking to Glaucon and they are arguing the manner in which the warriors, or guardian, class should be raised. They conclude that guardians should not obtain or own any possessions’ as it will make each other jealous. In order to calm the guardians urge to obtain gold, the Myth of Metals will be told to them. In the Myth, it is said the upbringing that the guardians had received, had only been a dream, and they were actually made in the center of the earth, the mother of them all. Everything that they owned including weapons and craftsman’s tools were also created in the same manner. When the time was right, their mother delivered them to the surface so that they could protect her at all costs (414d). This part of the myth describes why the citizens of the kallipolis will defend their land. It still does not satisfy the guardian’s urge to obtain wealth.
The second part of the noble lie will further explains how the jealousy will be controlled. Socrates will say that “the god who made you mixed some gold into those who are adequately equipped to rule, because they are most valuable. He put silver in those who are auxiliaries and iron and bronze in the farmers and other craftsman (415).” This distribution of metals in their blood will convince them that the class they are in is destined to them. It is possible that a child of gold or silver blood will be born to those of copper or bronze blood. In that case, the child will be recognized and raised by the designated class. The same is true vice versa. Because of this noble lie, Socrates will be able to control and keep the designated classes in their places.
The question to be asked is, does this lie follow Socrates’ belief of what justice is? To look at this we must first discover what is Socrates’ definition of justice? After setting up his ideal state, there are three distinct classes of people. Each of these people is best suited for doing his or her job in their area of skill. One cannot perform this task to the fullest however, if it is not the only task that he or she does. For example, a steak knife is best suited to cutting steaks. If it were designed to also spread butter, it would not be as good a steak knife for cutting steak. It is for this reason that each class must do only what it is best suited for them. After this is stated Socrates and Glaucon go on to decide how the rulers should be raised and how the guardians should grow up. All of this is not necessary for the argument at hand, what is justice? “Because what we are looking for seems to have been rolling around at our feet from the very beginning, and we didn’t see it, which was ridiculous of us (432d).” Socrates states that civic justice consists of every class performing the task that they are best suited for.
Up until this point, Glaucon and Socrates have only discovered what justice is in the state. But what is it in the soul? In order to achieve this goal, Socrates feels that it is necessary to identify three properties of the society and then compare them to the human soul. These three parts, appetite, spirit, and rational correspond to the three social classes, producers, guardians, and rulers respectively. They then argue that the human soul is indeed made up of the same three properties. Since both the kallipolis and the human soul are made up of the same three attributes, it is certain that justice in the city must relate to justice of the human soul. In the city, justice is defined as each class doing what it is best suited for. Hence, in the human soul, justice must consist of each part of the mind doing only what it is best suited for and not interfering with the other sections.
Now we are best suited to take on the question at hand, do you think such reliance on lying contradicts Socrates’ conception of justice? It is clear that the Myth of the Metals does not at all contradict what Socrates feels justice is. Justice is the separation of the different parts of the human mind, each doing what it is best suited for. The Myth of Metals does not contradict this definition at all. It in fact shows that the rational part of the brain is doing its job in making a just society. It is even argued earlier in the book, something that is good cannot make something less good. The example given is a musician. Can a musician, through tutoring or teaching a pupil, make that pupil a lesser musician (335c)? The same question can be restated, can someone who creates music that is kind to the ear, be non-musical? Of course not. It is the same with the myth. Can a lie that is meant to create justice, be unjust? The answer remains no.
In order for Socrates to create, to his satisfaction, justice in the kallipolis, he devised the Myth of the Metals. This would make everyone content in being in their place in society so that they would not intertwine with the other classes. After creating this, he discovers what civic justice is and later converts this to justice in the human. It is evidently clear that in no way does the Myth of the Metals contradict the definition of justice that Socrates gives in The Republic.
Другие работы по теме:
K Essay Research Paper 2a Why does
K Essay, Research Paper 2.a) Why does the Athenian jury convict Socrates, and why does Socrates maintain his innocence? b) Do you think it was right for Socrates to accept his punishment of death without fleeing, even though he thought he was innocent?
Cicero Vs Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates
Cicero Vs Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates and Marcus Tullius Cicero were both two great philosophers of their time. They both had great intellectual and highly philosophical ideas on many things, but the complexity of their ideas do not generally agree each others. One reason why there may be a distinct difference in belief is simply because Cicero was a Greek and Socrates was a Roman men.
Not Hearing Socrates Essay Research Paper Writing
Not Hearing Socrates Essay, Research Paper Writing and speaking are two very different, yet extremely important activities to any educated person. Socrates, from Phaedrus and Letters VII and VIII, seems to think that spoken word holds great precedence over writing. His explanation of choosing speech over text is two fold.
Why Does Socrates Claim That No Person
Ever Desires What Is Bad? Essay, Research Paper Why Does Socrates claim that no person ever desires what is bad? The arguments to support the claim that Socrates believes that no man ever desires what is bad may be found in the Meno. In this conversation, Socrates and his fellow man Meno are in search of true knowledge (or the form) of virtue.
Socrates Apology Essay Research Paper Socrates made
Socrates Apology Essay, Research Paper Socrates made the correct choice to continue with his “Apology” after he received this guilty verdict. Socrates continued his defense after he received the guilty verdict for several reasons. I think the reasons why he continued his defense are: he wanted to acknowledge the Athenians who voted for his acquittal and guilt, and the jury still had to decide Socrates’ punishment.
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates believed in
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates believed in speaking the truth. In his speeches, his true character is revealed. He is an individual, who lived only to spread knowledge. Socrates was humble, knowing that he was no wiser than anyone. In not recording his knowledge, he was able to devote more time to thought.
Was Socrates Wise Or A Wise Guy
Essay, Research Paper Socrates was a unique individual with an unordinary style of living. One main goal everyday for Socrates was to determine wheter or not what the oracle said was true. He would do this by asking questions to individaulas. What he wanted us to know was if he was actually the wises man in Greece.
The Death Of Socrates Essay Research Paper
“Crito, you and other people who claimed to be friends to Socrates are all useless! How could you have been so cowardly, or lazy, or stingy, as to allow you ‘friend’ to die? Surely, with a little courage, energy, and money, you could have saved him.”Those are strong accusations coming from someone who obviously did not know Socrates as well as his other students or me.
Socrates And Thoreau Essay Research Paper The
Socrates And Thoreau Essay, Research Paper The main difference between Socrates and Thoreau was the their views on the relationship between people and government. Socrates believed that the people are work for the government. They are supposed to obey the orders of the government and serve the government to the best of their abilities.
Knowledge Essay Research Paper Intro to PhilKnowledge
Knowledge Essay, Research Paper Intro to Phil Knowledge as Justified True Belief Reprinted from The Collected Dialogues of Plato (1961) edited by Edith Hamilton and Huntington Cairns. Plato (ca. 428 to 348 B.C.) a student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle and a giant of Western philosophy, best know for his classical theory of ideal forms.
Dialogue Of Plato And Meno Essay Research
Paper Summary of Meno In the “Meno” dialogue, Meno asks Socrates if he knows how virtue is acquired: by nature, or by teaching. Socrates replies that one cannot know how virtue is acquired unless one has a solid definition of ‘virtue.’ Socrates then charges Meno with the task of offering him a sufficient and whole definition of what virtue really is.
The Trial Of Socrates 2 Essay Research
Paper The Trial of Socrates Socrates is certainly not guilty of the crimes he is accused of. He is not corrupting the youth of Athens and he does indeed believe in gods. His manner is uncommon and because of that he is feared by his accusers (Meletus, Anytus, Lycon, et al.). Justice will be miscarried if he is put to death.
Charges Against Socrates Essay Research Paper One
Charges Against Socrates Essay, Research Paper One of the most famous philosophers of all times, Socrates, was put to trial in Athens around 347 BCE in behalf of three major counts. First of all he was indicted for corrupting the youth of Athens. Secondly, he was indicted for not believing in the gods in whom the city of Athens believed in; thirdly he was charged for believing in other new divinities which were not traditional to the city.
Compare And Contrast Socrates And Krishna Essay
, Research Paper Plato?s Socrates and, The Bhagavad Gita?s Krishna are two very important characters who have strongly impacted the lives of many. These two characters share many similar qualities, as well as many contrasting qualities. In this essay, I will thoroughly compare and contrast these two remarkable characters.
The Apology Essay Research Paper The ApologyIn
The Apology Essay, Research Paper The Apology In The Apology by Plato, Socrates was giving his testimony before he was forced to commit suicide. He was trying to prove that death is better than living without one?s beliefs. He believed that he was innocent, going to a better place, and he was going to die anyway.
Socrates On Democracy Essay Research Paper In
Socrates On Democracy Essay, Research Paper In Plato?s Euthyphro, Crito and the Apology, we learn of Socrates? highly critical view of the democracy. Socrates believed that democracy was a flawed
Socrates Arguments Regarding Moral Conventionalism Essay Research
Paper In assessing the validity of Socrates? arguments regarding moral conventionalism, Plato presents a multitude of premises on which Socrates? argument is based. These premises both support and weaken Socrates? beliefs against Sophist teachings. Using The Crito and The Apology, it is relatively easy to understand Socrates? reasoning in opposing the sophistic position of moral relativism.
Apology Essay Research Paper Apology PaperSocrates states
Apology Essay, Research Paper Apology Paper Socrates states that the only thing he knows is that he knows nothing. I feel that Socrates is saying that he recognizes the fact that he does not know much. Socrates does not try to pretend that he is this almighty person who pretends that they know things they don t know.
The Apology Of Socrates Essay Research Paper
The Apology of Socrates,by Plato,is an important work of literature. Although written some two-thousand years ago,it shows us how our society is much like the one of Socrates.It shows how the equities and inequities of his time are like the one’s today.In reading the Apology of Socrates,one can learn how consistency can lead to equitableness.
Crito Essay Research Paper While awaiting his
Crito Essay, Research Paper While awaiting his execution in prison, Socrates was confronted by his friend Crito, and given an opportunity to escape. Crito offered a multitude of reasons to support his proposal, however Socrates refused to leave on the basis of four premises:- One must never do wrong, even in return for wrong.- It is wrong to break a just agreement.- The agreement between the laws of Athens and its citizens is just because all citizens are allowed two alternatives to obeying the laws.- Leaving would constitute breaking the agreement.Supported my these four premises, Socrates claimed that escaping from prison would be morally wrong.
Crito Essay Research Paper 1 Crito
Crito Essay, Research Paper 1. Crito’s ArgumentsThe arguments of Crito are centred and clear. He uses simple persuasion to try and convince Socrates to escape. His arguments push the idea that Socrates should attempt escape for the sake of others, namely his children, friends and the many.Crito points out that other men would have no hesitation in escaping, despite their age.
Dialogue Phaedo Death Of Socrates By Phaedo
To Echecrates Essay, Research Paper The dialogue Phaedo is a narration of the death of Socrates by Phaedo to Echecrates. One of the themes in the dialogue Phaedo is Socrates perception of death. He and those who come to visit him on the day of his execution discuss this idea of his. Socrates believes that every philosopher awaits death because it is coupled with being a philosopher.
Socraric Method Essay Research Paper The Socratic
Socraric Method Essay, Research Paper The Socratic Method of philosophy is basically a series of question leading to an answer. In order for this method to work though, two conditions must be met. The first one is that the interlocutor has to say what he believes. The second is that the answers must be kept short.
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates arguments that
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates arguments that it would be wrong to escape from prison is as follows. In Critos, Socrates explains to his friend Crito that escaping from prison would go against many of the thins that he (Socrates) believes in; seeking virtue, seeking the truth, not repaying an evil with another evil, obeying the laws of the state and so on.
The Crito Essay Research Paper The dialogue
The Crito Essay, Research Paper The dialogue of The Crito, by Plato, recounts the last days of Socrates, immediately before his execution was going to take place in Athens. In the dialogue, Socrates friend, Crito, proposes that Socrates escape from prison. Socrates considers this proposal, trying to decide if escaping would be just and morally justified.
Crito Essay Research Paper Crito Days before
Crito Essay, Research Paper Crito Days before the ship arrives in the city of Athens, to take away the life of Socrates, after he has been sentence to death by an unjust jury. Crito one of the closest friends of Socrates tells Socrates to escape and not die because of an unfair cause. Crito also tells Socrates that he has many friends that are willing to sacrifice everything to see him live.
Question Can A Person Perform Evil Acts
Voluntarily? Essay, Research Paper Question: Can a person perform evil acts voluntarily? ?Evil corrupts the evil doer.? ?Is there anyone, then, who wishes to be harmed by those he associates with, rather than to be benefited?? In defending himself against accusations of corruption and evil, Socrates argues in his apology that no person performs evil acts voluntarily.
The Noble Lie Essay Research Paper The
The Noble Lie Essay, Research Paper The Noble Lie In book III, Socrates begins to describe criteria for an ideal city. Socrates begins by describing who should rule this ideal city. He feels that they must choose guardians who have the state s interest at heart, because they see it identical with their own interest.
What Is Piety Essay Research Paper What
What Is Piety Essay, Research Paper What is Piety During the Periclean age (around 400 B.C.) in Athens Greece there was a man named Socrates. He was considered a very wise man by the Athenians. However
Socrates Essay Research Paper Socrates Socrates as
Socrates Essay, Research Paper Socrates Socrates, as known by Renault, was a beautiful creature. Not physically beautiful, but internally and fundamentally beautiful. It was he who said: When you assume the show of any virtue, you open a credit account, which one day you will have to meet or go broke (pp. 398).
Plato Vs Socrates Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato Vs Socrates Essay, Research Paper Plato vs SocratesPlato was one of the most influential and significant philosophers throughout the antient and modern world. Through his rich blood line and his years of studying under Socrates, Plato was able to develop various theories, such as the Theory of Knowledge and The Forms.
Antigone Vs Socrates Essay Research Paper Antigone
Antigone Vs. Socrates Essay, Research Paper Antigone vs. Socrates In the plays Antigone and the Crito the two lead characters, Antigone and Socrates, showed completely different ideas regarding their responsibilities to the State. Antigone believes in divine law and does what she thinks that the Gods would want her to do.