Republic VII 517a8-521c1 Articles uri icon

publication date

  • January 2018

start page

  • 233

end page

  • 252

issue

  • 2

volume

  • 86

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0013-6662

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1988-8384

abstract

  • Rep. VII 517a8-521c1 connects the allegory of the cave with the curriculum of the philosopher kings. Although in the passage we can find some key points to understand the purpose of the dialogue, it has not received appropriate attention neither from ancient nor from modern criticism. This passage establishes (1) a notion of education based on the reminiscence theory and in clear opposition to the sophistic conception, (2) the position of the Idea of the Good as the most significant object of learning and (3) a final answer to why philosopher kings have to take over the government of the polis.

subjects

  • Philosophy

keywords

  • plato; republic; education; idea of the good; philosophical rule; polis; fallacy