Plato's Republic Trivia

Who is the author of The Republic?

Plato

What book of The Republic contains the Cave Allegory?

Book VII

Who is Socrates speaking to in the Cave Allegory?

Glaucon

What are the prisoners chained to prevent?

Moving and turning their heads

What do the prisoners see on the cave wall?

Shadows

What creates the shadows?

A fire blazing behind them and objects carried along a raised way

What do the prisoners believe the shadows are?

The truth; reality itself

What happens when a prisoner is first released?

He suffers sharp pains; the glare distresses him

What is the prisoner dragged up to see?

The sun itself

What does the prisoner see first after leaving the cave?

Shadows, then reflections in water, then objects themselves

What does the prisoner see last of all?

The sun in its own proper place

What does the sun represent?

The guardian of all in the visible world; the cause of all things

What happens when the freed prisoner returns to the cave?

His eyes are full of darkness; he cannot see well

How do the other prisoners react to the returned prisoner's claims?

They don't want to hear about it and don't want to leave

What do the prisoners threaten to do to anyone trying to free others?

Put him to death

What does the cave represent?

The prison-house; the world of sight

What does the fire represent?

The sun

What does the journey upward represent?

The ascent of the soul into the intellectual world

What appears "last of all" in the world of knowledge?

The idea of good

What is the good described as?

The universal author of all things beautiful and right; parent of light

Why are those who attain the beatific vision unwilling to descend?

Their souls are ever hastening into the upper world where they desire to dwell

At what age do the philosopher-rulers reach their consummation?

Fifty years of age

How long must they study philosophy exclusively?

Five years

How long is the stage where they hold military or other offices?

Fifteen years

What must philosopher-rulers do after their philosophical training?

Return to the cave; toil at politics and rule for the public good

What will the city do for philosopher-rulers after they depart?

Give them public memorials and sacrifices and honor them as demigods or blessed and divine

What does the questioning spirit do to young students?

Drives them into believing that nothing is honourable any more than dishonourable

What danger is there in students tasting dialectic too early?

They argue for amusement and get into a way of not believing anything

What must philosophers do when they set in order their city?

Send out all inhabitants over ten years old; take possession of their children