Break a Chair, but Don't Break Social Structure–Hannah Schofield
Book IV
So, before I begin on the actual blog post, can I just rant about the fact that the trusted, fluffy chair in my dorm decided to BREAK while I was diligently thinking about writing this post. YEAH! Snapped like a twig which resulted in me hitting my head on not only on the metal side of my bed but my dresser as well! Great way to go into writing about The Republic, am I right?
The ideal state of the city is broken down into 4 virtues within Book IV:
Wisdom
Courage
Moderation/Temperance
Justice
Each ideal is broken down into characteristics that each social class would be responsible for. The responsibility of wisdom wouls most likely land on the shoulders of the leaders. On page 124 it is said, "...wisdom seems ordained by nature to be the smallest class of all." The responsibility of courage would obviously be that of the guardians/soldiers because it is described on page 125 as being a "perspective." It is further described on the same page as, "....the strength to hold fast to the proper convictions about what is worth fearing and what is not." The virtue of temperance is viewed as a responsibility of the whole city. It is defined on page 127 as "..producing a harmony of all its parts and inhabitants, from the weakest to the strongest." Finally, on page 128 the last virtue named as justice is described as "...the ultimate cause and condition of their existence." Justice is viewed by Socrates as the most prominent of the four virtues because it relies on the individual classes of the state basically minding their business and going about their lives without messing with the ranks of social class.
As a person who respects the freedom and ability to transition between social classes in modern times, I would personally hate this social structure. Where would individuality have a place to grow? Would you respect your city if these four virtues were the stronghold of societal views? Why?
P.S. migraines from broken chairs and metal bed frames aren't anything to play with as I have found out recently.
Commented on: Gray's & Anna Kate's
So, before I begin on the actual blog post, can I just rant about the fact that the trusted, fluffy chair in my dorm decided to BREAK while I was diligently thinking about writing this post. YEAH! Snapped like a twig which resulted in me hitting my head on not only on the metal side of my bed but my dresser as well! Great way to go into writing about The Republic, am I right?
The ideal state of the city is broken down into 4 virtues within Book IV:
Wisdom
Courage
Moderation/Temperance
Justice
Each ideal is broken down into characteristics that each social class would be responsible for. The responsibility of wisdom wouls most likely land on the shoulders of the leaders. On page 124 it is said, "...wisdom seems ordained by nature to be the smallest class of all." The responsibility of courage would obviously be that of the guardians/soldiers because it is described on page 125 as being a "perspective." It is further described on the same page as, "....the strength to hold fast to the proper convictions about what is worth fearing and what is not." The virtue of temperance is viewed as a responsibility of the whole city. It is defined on page 127 as "..producing a harmony of all its parts and inhabitants, from the weakest to the strongest." Finally, on page 128 the last virtue named as justice is described as "...the ultimate cause and condition of their existence." Justice is viewed by Socrates as the most prominent of the four virtues because it relies on the individual classes of the state basically minding their business and going about their lives without messing with the ranks of social class.
As a person who respects the freedom and ability to transition between social classes in modern times, I would personally hate this social structure. Where would individuality have a place to grow? Would you respect your city if these four virtues were the stronghold of societal views? Why?
P.S. migraines from broken chairs and metal bed frames aren't anything to play with as I have found out recently.
Commented on: Gray's & Anna Kate's
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