The History of Why

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Republic

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Plato’s Republic compares a city with a soul and offers the images of the sun, the line and the cave. What do justice and understanding require, and how much can the images establish?

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2 readings · Title A–Z

  • Guided course · Module 5 · Lesson 22

    Justice in a person and a city

    Plato compares a just city with a well-ordered soul. Inner harmony might guide conduct, but order alone does not establish fair treatment of others.

  • Guided course · Module 5 · Lesson 21

    Knowledge, appearance and education

    Plato’s sun, line and cave distinguish correct belief from understanding and picture education as a turning around. What do these images explain, and what do they leave unproved about knowledge and authority?