PREVIEW-Episode 40: Plato’s Republic: What Is Justice?

Summary: Discussing The Republic by Plato, primarily books 1 and 2.<br> This is a 31-minute preview of our vintage 1 hr, 37-minute episode which you can buy at <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/product/ep-40-plato-republic/" target="_blank">partiallyexaminedlife.com/store</a> or <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2011/07/11/ep40-plato-citizen/" target="_blank">get for free</a> with PEL Citizenship (see <a href="http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/membership" target="_blank">partiallyexaminedlife.com/membership</a>). You can also purchase the full episode in the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/episode-40-platos-republic/id1044856161" target="_blank">iTunes Store</a>: Search for "Partially Examined Republic" and look under "Albums."<br> What is justice? What is the ideal type of government? In the dialogue, Socrates argues that justice is real (not just a fiction the strong make up) and that it's not relative to who you are (in the sense that it would always be just to help your friends and hurt your enemies). Justice ends up being a matter of balancing your soul so the rational part is in control over the rest of you.<br> The Republic is Plato's utopia, described by analogy with justice in the individual: In the ideal state, the rational people will be in charge, and these leaders should go through rigorous conditioning and live communally (spouse sharing!) in order for them to serve the state effectively.<br> You'll hear Wes and Dylan Casey talk about their <a href="http://www.sjca.edu/" target="_blank">St. John's</a> experiences (the "Johnny" discussion-only format provides a chief model for P.E.L.'s). Plus, Gay Girl from Damascus, which music degrades your character, and does suffering make people morally worse?<br> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0465069347/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=theparexalif-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=217153&amp;creative=399353&amp;creativeASIN=0465069347" target="_blank">Buy the book</a> or <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1497" target="_blank">read the cheesy, old translation online.</a><br> End song: "Manager," from <a href="http://newpeopleband.com" target="_blank">the 2011 New People album, Impossible Things</a> (song written in 1997).<br>