Plato's Republic - Book I: Key Terms (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the main terms and concepts from Book I of Plato's Republic as discussed in the lecture. They focus on people, definitions, and key analogies used in the debate about justice.

Thrasymachus

A sophist in the dialogue who argues that justice is the advantage of the stronger and that rulers’ laws serve their own interests.

Justice (Thrasymachus’ definition)

The interest or advantage of the stronger; justice is whatever benefits the ruling class.

Ruler / ruling class

Those in power whose interests shape laws; their authority determines what counts as just, though they can be mistaken.

Law

Edicts crafted by rulers to serve their interests; Socrates later questions whether laws always reflect what is truly best for the governed.

Doctor analogy

A model used to argue that professions serve the needs of their subjects (patients) and should act for their good, not merely for personal gain.

Captain analogy

An analogy comparing rulers to captains who govern for the interests of those under their command, aligning with the art of governing.

Arts and crafts vs. rulers

Socrates argues that arts (medicine, navigation, etc.) aim to benefit their subjects; they are more about serving others than enriching the practitioner.

Function (telos)

The specific purpose or end of a thing (e.g., the eye’s seeing, the soul’s reasoning) used to judge whether it operates well.

Excellence (areté)

The virtue or virtue-in-action of a function; performing well constitutes excellence and is central to judging justice.

Soul (psyche)

The mind with faculties like reasoning and willing; justice is the excellence of the soul and its proper governance leads to a good life.

Elenchus

Socratic method of questioning used to expose contradictions and test definitions.

Aporia

A state of puzzlement or impasse in the dialogue where participants realize they do not yet know what justice is.

Just life = happiness

Socrates’ claim that a just life leads to well-being and happiness, while an unjust life leads to misery.

Tuning analogy

The idea that true crafts aim to meet intrinsic standards (like tuning an instrument) rather than simply competing with others.

Justice as the state of the soul

The view that justice is the virtue of the soul and that a well-ordered soul results in a just and flourishing life.