1. Man in Society & Formation of Government

2. Questions We’ll Probably Discuss Is society made for man or is man made for society? Is the state a divine creation which man must not question, or is it a result of a “social contract” among men and subject to change when it no longer serves men? How do rulers get their authority? Is revolution justifiable? Is totalitarianism or democracy correct? What is justice? What is the "good life"?

3. Basics of Political Philosophy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm8asJxd cds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm8asJxd cds She’s going to break down philosophy into categories: take note of those. Why is she excited about political philosophy? What are the two questions she says are at the heart of political philosophy?

4. Your Political Philosophy Who gets what? Who says so?

5. PLATO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q34MHpB u0Oo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q34MHpB u0Oo

6. Plato’s Life Marked by political upheaval Democracy  30 Oligarchs (tyrants)  democracy Under the new democracy: Socrates is found guilty and executed

7. Plato’s Thoughts on Democracy “Mankind’s troubles will never cease until either true and genuine philosophers achieve political power or, by some dispensation of providence, rulers of states become genuine philosophers.”

8. Republic A dialogue about justice Socrates describes Kallipolis (“Beautiful City”) to show justice in the STATE and then moves on to discuss justice in the INDIVIDUAL

9. Kallipolis To meet basic human needs, humans have to cooperate Meeting needs creates more complex needs which requires more complex structures to meet those needs Fully realized – 3 groups in society: – Guardians – Auxiliaries – Producers

10. Justice in Kallipolis When everyone functions together in such a way to secure the good for the whole community Functioning (for Producers and Auxiliaries) = within the limits set by the Guardians Everyone does the job for which they are best suited and doesn’t interfere in the jobs of others

11. Wait a minute… Sounds like totalitarianism? Plato thinks: – only a few can be rulers – Ignorant should follow the leadership of the wise – Guardians can use myth, deception to govern the commonwealth Caveat: the Guardians are virtuous, wise men whose choices are guided by the needs of the greater good

12. In the end Later in life: Plato becomes political advisor to Dionysius II – Real life experiment to mold a philosopher ruler – Ends in failure and disillusionment for Plato Take-away: 2 nd best form of government (since ideal statesman doesn’t exist) is state run by men who are governed by wise LAWS