Plato’s Republic - Book 1 Review

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Book 1 of Plato's Republic.

Piraeus

The port of Athens where Socrates and Glaucon go for a festival.

Cephalus

A wealthy elderly man who discusses the nature of old age and justice.

Justice

Defined by Cephalus as telling the truth and giving back what one has taken.

Polemarchus

Son of Cephalus who argues that justice is doing good to friends and harm to enemies.

Thrasymachus

A character who defines justice as the advantage of the stronger.

Fallibility

The concept that human knowledge and judgment are imperfect.

Virtue

The quality of being morally good; Socrates argues that justice is a form of human virtue.

Injustice

The lack of justice or fairness, often leading to negative consequences.

Social Contract

The agreement among individuals to form a society, proposing that justice arises from social compulsion.

The Ring of Gyges

A story used by Glaucon to illustrate that people would act unjustly if they could do so without consequences.

Luxurious City

A city characterized by excess and desire, leading to war and greater complexity of society.

Guardians

Philosophers and soldiers who protect and govern the city, needing a specific type of education.

Censorship

The act of suppressing stories and teachings that do not align with the city's values.

Theology

The study of the divine; in the city, stories about gods must depict them as good and perfect.