“Republic” is a political philosophy manuscript by Greek philosopher Plato, written in the form of a Socratic dialogue.
Divided into 10 books, “Republic” was written as a debate or conversation between individuals on intellectually stimulating questions, which in turn promotes critical thinking and the propagation of philosophical interpretations or answers.
The manuscript voices Socrates as a person rather than the actual philosopher, as he converses with retired affluent businessman Cephalus, the latter’s son Polemarchus, teacher of philosophy Thrasymachus, and Plato’s half-brothers Adeimantus and Glaucon.
The discussion is centered on the nature of justice and the just man and how different versions of it can be implemented as a blueprint for ruling hypothetical city states.
Plato divided the world into two realms — the visible, and the intellectual or intelligible one to the mind’s eye.
He proposed that a strong relationship between three kinds of people was required to sustain harmony in a city state, namely producers, auxiliaries, and guardians.
He classed producers as craftsmen or farmers, auxiliaries as soldiers or protectors, and guardians as those who ruled the city state in which all were supposed to stick to their specific roles.
Plato combined philosophy and politics to draw the ideal and just city state, which would influence just governance and policy for all future emerging states.
The manuscript has the theme of three running throughout the 10 books, reflecting the three social classes.
For instance, he states that a human soul has three parts, the rational or intellectual, the spirited or honorable, and the appetitive, or lustful and financial.
“Republic” was authored around 375 B.C. and is considered Plato’s longest work.
A pupil of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, Plato was a Greek philosopher in the fifth century B.C. who founded the Academy, regarded as the first Western university or academic institution.
