PHI 1301 Lecture 2

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No class 2019-09-02: Labor Day

Philosophy Colloquium F 15:00–15:50; can be taken for 1 credit pass/fail with no tests or reading

Recent History Surrounding Republic

• Athens had just lost to Sparta
• in the near future, there will be a coup by "the 30 tyrants" (next-generation Athenians) against the philosophers' generation
• This will result in a civil war that the 30 tyrants will win
• In this time, Cephalus has been providing support for the philosophers and "traditional Athenians"

Book Setting

• This conversation is a "handing on" of philosophical viewpoints from the older generation to the younger
• Conversation starts out with pleasantries: "how is life, etc."
• Quickly changes to philosophical debate on "what is justice"
  • Instruction to think carefully about things

What is Justice?

• Multiple Definitions from each character
  • Cephalus:
    • Telling the truth and repaying debts
  • Polemarchus:
    • Giving to each what one is owed
    • Giving to each what is appropriate
  • Doing good to friends and harm to enemies

• Socrates refutes each one of these claims.
  • He likens justice to a practical skill/craft (τέχνη, techne)

For Next Time

• Read Republic pages 336–354: conversation between Socrates and Thrasymachus
  • What is T.'s approach to the matter?
  • What is S.'s role? (Dialectic)