1. Plato’s Republic
Book IV

2. Adeimantus’s Question
Adeimantus wants to know why people in Socrates’ cities would be happier than people in a city that allowed individuals to pursue individual wealth and happiness.
Socrates (Plato) will then go on to explore this idea throughout the course of Book IV.
s. 419

3. Plato a Utilitarian?
Socrates first explains that the guardians of the state (i.e. what will later be named the Philosopher Kings) need to work towards the greatest happiness for the state, not any one class within that state.
s. 420 (b-c)

4. Socrates Anticipates a Counter
Socrates anticipates an opponent’s counter to his assertion concerning PK’s aim towards the state’s happiness instead of individuals.
Counter would say that each class can pursue individual wealth and happiness. If each person attains that happiness, then the entire state, by proxy, will be happy (since all citizens will be happy).
For example, a cobbler can cobble and pursue alcohol. A husband can be married and pursue sexual intercourse outside of marriage. They are still happy, thus they create happiness within the state.

5. Socrates’ Response
Socrates responds to this counter by stating the state’s happiness will diminish since people will stop acting within their business.
i.e. A cobbler will no longer be a cobbler; a husband will no longer be a husband.
This will cause unhappiness to the state, which the guardians must protect against.
The focus must always be on the state.

6. Wealth and Poverty
Socrates proposes two possible evils: wealth and poverty.
Potter example: if the potter is wealthy, he will lack the motivation to get better and work hard; if the potter is poor, he will lack the means to get the tools necessary to be effective at his craft.
s. 421 (d-e)

7. Wealthy State vs. Meager State During Wartime
Adeimantus wonders how a state without wealth can defend themselves against a state with wealth.
Socrates responds by saying the state will have trained warriors while the other state will merely have rich people fighting.
His state’s warriors will be trained in combat, whereas the rich men will be fat non-boxers.
Plus, each warrior will be so effective that they will be able to defeat multiple rich soldiers by themselves.
This idea stems from Socrates’ belief that when men stop doing what they are meant to do (in this case, train to be a warrior), they cease to be that. So, in the opponent’s state, their warriors also pursued wealth in addition to training, so they cease to be a warrior.
s. 422 (b-c)

8. More About Meager State
Socrates also states that if a meager state (meager =/= poor) announces they have no gold/silver, then no opponent will want to attack since they have no bounty to claim.
This, though, assumes no opponent would want resources, such as land, livestock, people (i.e. slaves).
s. 422 (d-e)

9. Marx, er, I mean, Plato
Socrates then goes on to explain his “socialist” ideas (he never calls it that, but socialism has clear ties to Plato).
Socrates states that the wealthy and poor are always at war with each other.
Therefore, if you give the wealth out evenly, the class warfare will end, everyone will be friendly, and the state will be happy.
s. 423 (a-b)

10. Occupation Options
Each state should be only large enough so that it can sustain itself.
Each individual will do what they are most suited for doing (i.e. a man who drives really well will be a bus driver even if he wants to be a doctor, assuming he is worse at medicine than driving). The guardians will decide who does what.
If men are educated and nurtured, they will recognize that this is the best possible way to construct the state.
s (b)

11. Music Musical innovation is dangerous to the state.
Traditional music must be maintained and encouraged, while innovation must be squashed.
Good music is not for enjoyment, it is for acquiring good habit.
They said Rock ‘N Roll would cause the downfall of society.
s (b)

12. Habits to be Emulated These good habits include:
Youth being quiet around the elders
Showing respect by standing and letting elders sit
Honoring parents
Dressing properly
Having good manners
s. 425 (b)

13. Laws and Policy
Since written laws can be easily manipulated AND since unbending laws can be manipulated by smooth talkers (i.e. Sophists), no laws will be made.
PK’s will be educated in such a way that they possess the perfect knowledge of how to regulate policy.
s. 425 (d) (c)

14. Four Virtues of State and Individual
Wisdom
Courage
Temperance/Moderation
Justice
s. 427 (e)

15. Wisdom The state needs four virtues. First virtue is wisdom.
This wisdom is not knowledge of one area, i.e. agriculture, but of the good.
The guardian’s will be educated to know true wisdom. This will then make the state wise (good).
s. 428 (b) (a)

16. Courage Second virtue is courage.
Courage does not mean the lack of fear, but rather the courage to conform to the state’s policies (laws) in the face of a desire to stray from them.
s (c)

17. Temperance/Moderation, P.1
The third virtue is temperance.
The state, though much smaller, must calm the desires of the many (i.e. the poor, women, children).
Temperance is also a harmony between the classes that happens when they come to agreement on who will rule them (assuming they agree to be ruled by PK’s).
s. 430 (e) (b)

18. Temperance/Moderation, P.2
Temperance applies also to the individual in the sense that each individual must be master of themselves.
Each individual must always calm their desires with their temperance.
s. 430 (e) (b)

19. Justice, P.1 The fourth and final virtue is justice.
Socrates never really says this, per se, but justice becomes THE virtue of the state. It is the most vital of the four.
He says they all work in harmony.
432 (b) (d)

20. Justice, P.2 Justice is adhering to one’s nature.
The greatest injustice TO THE STATE is when the classes intermingle and act outside their nature (i.e. when a cobbler wants to be a warrior).
When each class minds their own business, the state is just.
432 (b) (d)

21. Virtue Information
Each individual must possess the same virtues as the state.
The state is determined by the individual.
First the individuals possess these virtues, then the state possesses them.
Opposite Michel Foucault.
s. 434 (d) (b)

22. Nature of the Virtues
Socrates then says they must determine if these four virtues are separate or part of one thing of the soul.
To start, Socrates claims that nothing can act contrary ways at the same time.
You cannot move and be at rest at the same time.
Response to counter by Socrates: if a man is sitting down (resting) but moving his arms (moving) he is not acting contrarily. Rather, different, separate parts are acting in different manners.
s. 435 (c) (a)

23. Principles of the Soul
The soul is broken down into different principles.
Rational Principle (also known as Reason)
Irrational Principle (also known as desires/appetite)
Spirit (also known as passion)
s. 439 (d-e)

24. Rational/Irrational Water/Thirst analogy
Your body can crave water with the appetitive principle, but if you do not drink, you are acting based on your rational principle.
Thus, you are not acting thirsty and not-thirsty at the same time.
Rather, your one principle is acting a certain way, and your other principle is acting a certain way.
s. 439 (a-e)

25. Desire vs. Spirit vs. Reason
Spirit shows up most often during conflicts within the soul (i.e. when you are wronged as opposed to someone else being wronged).
Socrates’ argues that desire and spirit are different.
The spirit can side with the rational principle.
Since you cannot be rational and irrational at the same time, spirit must be different.
Reason is separate from Spirit since all children have spirit but not all develop reason.
s (b)

26. Spirit + Rationality = Harmony
Spirit and rationality work together with education and nurture to create harmony within the individual and the state.
These two principles work together to fight off the irrational principle.
The guardians must act as the educated reason and spirit of the state to calm the irrationality of the people.
s (c)

27. Effect of Temperance
People with temperance will agree to the necessity of the guardians ruling and providing harmony to the state since the individuals will have personal harmony.
This is consistent with Plato’s idea that the person precedes the state.
s. 442 (d)

28. Effect of Justice
When the individual is just, they will not act immorally because of their connection to the state.
They will realize that their business aids in creating harmony within the state.
s. 442 (d) (b)

29. Socrates Answers Adeimantus’s Initial Question
Justice can be defined as acting harmoniously with all three principles.
This is the second time Plato asserts this.
The harmonious citizens will find justice more profitable than injustice.
Thus, Socrates has answered Adeimantus’s initial question, why people in Socrates’ cities would be happier than people in a city that allowed individuals to pursue individual wealth and happiness
s. 444 (b) (e) - End of Book IV

30. Book IV Focus Questions
How pragmatic is Plato’s assertion that men can be educated and nurtured such that they willingly and happily sacrifice their personal gain and profit for the state?
Compare Plato’s idea of the individual in Book IV to Rand’s view of the individual in Anthem. Discuss the validity of each thinker’s philosophy of the individual.
Discuss how Mill might respond to Plato after reading Book IV of The Republic.