Plato's Republic
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Description
Book Introduction
“Is there any real benefit to living a true and upright life?”
A must-read that serves as a gateway to understanding Plato and a foundation for Western philosophy.
“Living righteously is a better life than living unjustly!” We all agree with this saying, but it’s not always easy to put it into practice in our daily lives.
In reality, the unjust seem to be much happier than the righteous and live without any problems.
Plato's Republic (hereafter referred to as the Republic) may seem long and the arguments complex, but all discussions flow within this framework as Socrates meticulously and thoroughly argues against Glaucon's suggestion that "in reality the just are disadvantaged, so let us consider who is happier, the just or the unjust."
Like many of Plato's dialogues, the Republic is narrated by Socrates, who is having a conversation with his acquaintances one evening.
We examine from various perspectives why practicing justice is better and happier in itself, rather than because of the rewards one receives from doing it, and to solve this problem, we diagnose individual lives through the big picture of the 'nation' from the perspective of justice.
In the process of explaining how the best state, the kingly government, changed into a government of honor, an oligarchy, a democracy, and a tyranny, famous themes from the history of Western philosophy appear without fail.
For example, it covers the origins and composition of the state, the purpose and methods of education, the role of philosophers, the theory of ideas, the evolution of political systems, and the immortality of the soul, leading readers to think about the relationship between the state and the individual from various angles.
In particular, the passage describing the process by which a democracy turns into a tyranny (dictatorship), the worst kind of state, creates the illusion that Socrates is describing the situation in the world today after observing it firsthand.
As Athenian democracy entered a period of decline and social and political turmoil, Plato developed a yearning for an ideal state, which is fully reflected in his work, The Republic.
The Republic is a unique text that has provided the foundation for diverse discussions in virtually every field of Western civilization, including political science, philosophy, literature, and education, for the past 2,400 years.
In publishing 『The Republic』 for the 50th time, Hyundai Jisung Classics not only translated it directly from the Greek original, but also meticulously refined the text so that Korean readers could easily understand the complex and speculative original text.
To ensure that you don't have to look up parts of the text you're curious about again, we've included 366 helpful footnotes, and we've provided explanations to help you see the forest and the trees in a balanced way, so that you can savor the essence of Plato's philosophy (moving toward 'true reality') without getting lost during the extensive reading process.
A must-read that serves as a gateway to understanding Plato and a foundation for Western philosophy.
“Living righteously is a better life than living unjustly!” We all agree with this saying, but it’s not always easy to put it into practice in our daily lives.
In reality, the unjust seem to be much happier than the righteous and live without any problems.
Plato's Republic (hereafter referred to as the Republic) may seem long and the arguments complex, but all discussions flow within this framework as Socrates meticulously and thoroughly argues against Glaucon's suggestion that "in reality the just are disadvantaged, so let us consider who is happier, the just or the unjust."
Like many of Plato's dialogues, the Republic is narrated by Socrates, who is having a conversation with his acquaintances one evening.
We examine from various perspectives why practicing justice is better and happier in itself, rather than because of the rewards one receives from doing it, and to solve this problem, we diagnose individual lives through the big picture of the 'nation' from the perspective of justice.
In the process of explaining how the best state, the kingly government, changed into a government of honor, an oligarchy, a democracy, and a tyranny, famous themes from the history of Western philosophy appear without fail.
For example, it covers the origins and composition of the state, the purpose and methods of education, the role of philosophers, the theory of ideas, the evolution of political systems, and the immortality of the soul, leading readers to think about the relationship between the state and the individual from various angles.
In particular, the passage describing the process by which a democracy turns into a tyranny (dictatorship), the worst kind of state, creates the illusion that Socrates is describing the situation in the world today after observing it firsthand.
As Athenian democracy entered a period of decline and social and political turmoil, Plato developed a yearning for an ideal state, which is fully reflected in his work, The Republic.
The Republic is a unique text that has provided the foundation for diverse discussions in virtually every field of Western civilization, including political science, philosophy, literature, and education, for the past 2,400 years.
In publishing 『The Republic』 for the 50th time, Hyundai Jisung Classics not only translated it directly from the Greek original, but also meticulously refined the text so that Korean readers could easily understand the complex and speculative original text.
To ensure that you don't have to look up parts of the text you're curious about again, we've included 366 helpful footnotes, and we've provided explanations to help you see the forest and the trees in a balanced way, so that you can savor the essence of Plato's philosophy (moving toward 'true reality') without getting lost during the extensive reading process.
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
Characters and Background
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Release | Park Moon-jae
Plato's Chronology
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Release | Park Moon-jae
Plato's Chronology
Detailed image
Into the book
Any ruler, as long as he is a ruler, will look after and command what is beneficial to the ruled, not to himself.
Whatever I say or do, I will always speak and act with consideration for what is beneficial to the subject.
---From “Volume 1, page 44”
If good men refuse to rule, the greatest punishment they will receive is to be ruled by those inferior to them.
It seems to me that the reason the people best suited to rule end up ruling is because they fear such punishment.
Even in such cases, they like it and do not take on the role of ruler.
I have no choice but to take on the task because there is no one better or equal to me.
---From "Volume 1, page 51"
Justice, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful and noble kinds of good things, which anyone who wishes to be blessed cannot help but like, both in itself and for the results that flow from it.
He said.
“But most people don’t think that way.
I think that justice is a good thing because it has benefits, even though it is difficult and burdensome.
“Justice is something that must be done to gain a reward or a good reputation, but it is considered difficult and challenging in itself, so it should be avoided.”
---From “Volume 2, page 69”
We would beg Homer and other poets not to be angry if we crossed out all these similar passages.
It's not that such phrases are unpoetic or not enjoyable for people to hear.
To create a free man who fears becoming a slave more than death.
The more poetic the passage, the more it should be kept from being heard by both children and adults.
---From "Volume 3, page 119"
I told you.
“To become a competent doctor, one must not only learn medicine from a young age, but also come into contact with many seriously ill patients, and one must also be born with a weak constitution and experience all kinds of illnesses.
A doctor doesn't treat other people's bodies with his own body.
If that's the case, then we shouldn't tolerate the doctor's physical condition being bad or getting worse.
But treatment is done with the soul, so a doctor cannot treat a sick soul.
“Then we won’t be able to treat the patient.”
---From "Volume 3, page 160"
[Courage] means knowing what to fear through education and always holding on to the convictions that arise from that.
To hold on to something 'always' means to hold on to it to the end, whether in pain or joy, in desire or fear.
-From Volume 4, pages 193-194
We must remember that each of us becomes a righteous person who does his or her job when each part within him or her does its job.
… In fact, justice is not about doing one’s own work externally, but rather about achieving harmony within the three parts of the soul, becoming a moderate and harmonious person.
Each part of the soul does not allow anything that is not its own, does not interfere with each other, and rules itself in an orderly manner by properly arranging its own things.
It's like the three notes that determine the scale, namely the lowest, highest, and middle notes, combine with the other notes in between to form a perfect one.
When a person who has achieved this in his soul earns money, takes care of his body, engages in politics, or enters into contracts with others, maintaining that state from beginning to end is called a just and beautiful act, and the knowledge that governs such acts is called wisdom.
On the other hand, destroying such a state is called an unjust act, and the thoughts that govern such an act are called ignorance.
---From "Volume 4, pp. 215-216, 219"
Because a free person should not learn any subject while being submissive like a slave.
Even if you are forced to do physical work, your body will not get any more damaged, but what you learn through force will not remain in your soul.
---From "Volume 7, page 374"
The more people become absorbed in making money and the more they value it, the more they neglect virtue.
Virtue and wealth are incompatible, like two plates on a scale, moving in opposite directions.
---From "Volume 8, page 396"
The insatiable desire for wealth, obsessed with accumulating wealth to the neglect of other things, brought about the downfall of the oligarchy.
…then wouldn’t the insatiable desire for what is considered good in democracy destroy democracy?
---From "Volume 8, page 418"
By this standard, would it be truly beneficial for someone to acquire gold unjustly, if doing so would mean making the best part of themselves a slave to the worst part?
If in exchange for gold you have to hand over your son or daughter as a slave to a wicked and evil man, then no amount of gold will be of any benefit to you.
Whatever I say or do, I will always speak and act with consideration for what is beneficial to the subject.
---From “Volume 1, page 44”
If good men refuse to rule, the greatest punishment they will receive is to be ruled by those inferior to them.
It seems to me that the reason the people best suited to rule end up ruling is because they fear such punishment.
Even in such cases, they like it and do not take on the role of ruler.
I have no choice but to take on the task because there is no one better or equal to me.
---From "Volume 1, page 51"
Justice, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful and noble kinds of good things, which anyone who wishes to be blessed cannot help but like, both in itself and for the results that flow from it.
He said.
“But most people don’t think that way.
I think that justice is a good thing because it has benefits, even though it is difficult and burdensome.
“Justice is something that must be done to gain a reward or a good reputation, but it is considered difficult and challenging in itself, so it should be avoided.”
---From “Volume 2, page 69”
We would beg Homer and other poets not to be angry if we crossed out all these similar passages.
It's not that such phrases are unpoetic or not enjoyable for people to hear.
To create a free man who fears becoming a slave more than death.
The more poetic the passage, the more it should be kept from being heard by both children and adults.
---From "Volume 3, page 119"
I told you.
“To become a competent doctor, one must not only learn medicine from a young age, but also come into contact with many seriously ill patients, and one must also be born with a weak constitution and experience all kinds of illnesses.
A doctor doesn't treat other people's bodies with his own body.
If that's the case, then we shouldn't tolerate the doctor's physical condition being bad or getting worse.
But treatment is done with the soul, so a doctor cannot treat a sick soul.
“Then we won’t be able to treat the patient.”
---From "Volume 3, page 160"
[Courage] means knowing what to fear through education and always holding on to the convictions that arise from that.
To hold on to something 'always' means to hold on to it to the end, whether in pain or joy, in desire or fear.
-From Volume 4, pages 193-194
We must remember that each of us becomes a righteous person who does his or her job when each part within him or her does its job.
… In fact, justice is not about doing one’s own work externally, but rather about achieving harmony within the three parts of the soul, becoming a moderate and harmonious person.
Each part of the soul does not allow anything that is not its own, does not interfere with each other, and rules itself in an orderly manner by properly arranging its own things.
It's like the three notes that determine the scale, namely the lowest, highest, and middle notes, combine with the other notes in between to form a perfect one.
When a person who has achieved this in his soul earns money, takes care of his body, engages in politics, or enters into contracts with others, maintaining that state from beginning to end is called a just and beautiful act, and the knowledge that governs such acts is called wisdom.
On the other hand, destroying such a state is called an unjust act, and the thoughts that govern such an act are called ignorance.
---From "Volume 4, pp. 215-216, 219"
Because a free person should not learn any subject while being submissive like a slave.
Even if you are forced to do physical work, your body will not get any more damaged, but what you learn through force will not remain in your soul.
---From "Volume 7, page 374"
The more people become absorbed in making money and the more they value it, the more they neglect virtue.
Virtue and wealth are incompatible, like two plates on a scale, moving in opposite directions.
---From "Volume 8, page 396"
The insatiable desire for wealth, obsessed with accumulating wealth to the neglect of other things, brought about the downfall of the oligarchy.
…then wouldn’t the insatiable desire for what is considered good in democracy destroy democracy?
---From "Volume 8, page 418"
By this standard, would it be truly beneficial for someone to acquire gold unjustly, if doing so would mean making the best part of themselves a slave to the worst part?
If in exchange for gold you have to hand over your son or daughter as a slave to a wicked and evil man, then no amount of gold will be of any benefit to you.
---From “Volume 9, page 473”
Publisher's Review
The greatest philosopher of mankind has given a detailed answer
The best insight into 'true life'!
Even dictators praise democracy, and even presidents who trample citizens with their military boots cry out for “justice.” This is human society.
While everyone evaluates success by the length of the numbers on their bankbook, it is the yearning for 'justice' that is embedded within people that allows them to confidently say, "You shouldn't live like that, wearing human skin!"
From a child who wakes up to the fact that he has to pay a thousand won to get a bag of snacks to a father who is unable to pay his monthly rent and has forgotten his deposit, everyone acknowledges that they need 'money', and it depicts in detail the truth that 'justice' is necessary for humans to live in this world (just as air is necessary for breathing).
Like many of Plato's dialogues, the Republic is narrated by Socrates, who is having a conversation with his acquaintances one evening.
We examine from various perspectives why practicing justice is better and happier in itself, rather than because of the rewards one receives from doing it, and to solve this problem, we diagnose individual lives through the big picture of the 'nation' from the perspective of justice.
In the process of explaining how the best state, the kingly government, changed into a government of honor, an oligarchy, a democracy, and a tyranny, famous themes from the history of Western philosophy appear without fail.
For example, it covers the origins and composition of the state, the purpose and methods of education, the role of philosophers, the theory of ideas, the evolution of political systems, and the immortality of the soul, leading readers to think about the relationship between the state and the individual from various angles.
In particular, the passage describing the process by which a democracy turns into a tyranny (dictatorship), the worst kind of state, creates the illusion that Socrates is describing the situation in the world today after observing it firsthand.
Justice, idea, soul, allegory of the cave, utopia, philosopher-king, wise man…
The beginning of the concept that formed the foundation of Western philosophy
『The Nation』 consists of a total of 10 volumes.
In Book 1, after Cephalus tells Socrates that the important thing in life is not money but living justly, and then leaves, his son Polemarchus takes up the conversation.
The conversation then becomes heated as the Sophist Thrasymachus counters that "justice is for the benefit of the stronger" and argues that living unjustly is a better and happier life, as long as one does not get caught.
From Book 2 onwards, the dialogue partners change to Glaucon and Adeimantus, and the dialogue continues through Book 10.
In Book 1, Socrates thought he had refuted Thrasymachus's argument, but the two brothers posed another question to him. To answer this question, Socrates suggested that they examine a state that has "justice" to find out what justice truly is.
This discussion concludes in Volume 4 with an examination of the soul composition of a just state and its inhabitants.
Socrates also examines several types of unjust states to verify who lives happier and more joyfully, the just or the unjust, and then says that it is desirable for a person who loves wisdom (a philosopher) to become the ruler of a state, and explains what kind of person such a 'person who loves wisdom' is.
The discussion on the nature of a philosopher develops into the question of what kind of education should be used to cultivate philosophers, and this leads to the explanation that education should be provided so that philosophers can see the idea of goodness, using the famous allegory of the cave, the allegory of the sun, and the allegory of the line segment.
The discussion of the ideal political system begins again in Volume 8.
It explains how a government of honor, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny arise in succession from a government of kings, and also mentions the corresponding types of people.
Based on this analysis, it is proven that those who are closest to the king's way are the happiest and those who are closest to the tyranny are the most unhappy, and if it is argued that living unjustly is more beneficial, it shows that humans cannot help but become terrible monsters.
In Volume 10, after explaining the evils of imitative poetry, he brings up the immortality of the soul and concludes the long discussion by talking about the rewards that those who live righteously will receive in this world as well as in the afterlife.
To taste the essence of Plato's philosophy without getting lost
As Athenian democracy entered a period of decline and social and political turmoil, Plato developed a yearning for an ideal state, which is fully reflected in his work, The Republic.
The Republic is a unique text that has provided the foundation for diverse discussions in virtually every field of Western civilization, including political science, philosophy, literature, and education, for the past 2,400 years.
However, many people are overwhelmed by the sheer volume and the seemingly labyrinthine arguments and end up looking for abridged versions or commentaries.
However, if you pay attention to the framework in which the entire structure of this book begins and flows, you can enjoy the pleasure of reading this book, one of the most brilliant works in the history of Western philosophy, without getting lost.
His disciple Glaucon suggested, “In reality, the just are disadvantaged, so it would be good to consider who is happier, the just or the unjust,” and Socrates argues this question meticulously and thoroughly (or answers all the side questions that come up in the middle), and the entire discussion is conducted there.
In publishing 『The Republic』 for the 50th time, Hyundai Jisung Classics not only translated it directly from the Greek original, but also meticulously refined the text so that Korean readers could easily understand the complex and speculative original text.
We've included 366 helpful footnotes so you don't have to search for parts you're curious about in the text, and we've provided explanations to help you see the forest and the trees in a balanced way, so you can savor the essence of Plato's philosophy without getting lost during the extensive reading process.
The best insight into 'true life'!
Even dictators praise democracy, and even presidents who trample citizens with their military boots cry out for “justice.” This is human society.
While everyone evaluates success by the length of the numbers on their bankbook, it is the yearning for 'justice' that is embedded within people that allows them to confidently say, "You shouldn't live like that, wearing human skin!"
From a child who wakes up to the fact that he has to pay a thousand won to get a bag of snacks to a father who is unable to pay his monthly rent and has forgotten his deposit, everyone acknowledges that they need 'money', and it depicts in detail the truth that 'justice' is necessary for humans to live in this world (just as air is necessary for breathing).
Like many of Plato's dialogues, the Republic is narrated by Socrates, who is having a conversation with his acquaintances one evening.
We examine from various perspectives why practicing justice is better and happier in itself, rather than because of the rewards one receives from doing it, and to solve this problem, we diagnose individual lives through the big picture of the 'nation' from the perspective of justice.
In the process of explaining how the best state, the kingly government, changed into a government of honor, an oligarchy, a democracy, and a tyranny, famous themes from the history of Western philosophy appear without fail.
For example, it covers the origins and composition of the state, the purpose and methods of education, the role of philosophers, the theory of ideas, the evolution of political systems, and the immortality of the soul, leading readers to think about the relationship between the state and the individual from various angles.
In particular, the passage describing the process by which a democracy turns into a tyranny (dictatorship), the worst kind of state, creates the illusion that Socrates is describing the situation in the world today after observing it firsthand.
Justice, idea, soul, allegory of the cave, utopia, philosopher-king, wise man…
The beginning of the concept that formed the foundation of Western philosophy
『The Nation』 consists of a total of 10 volumes.
In Book 1, after Cephalus tells Socrates that the important thing in life is not money but living justly, and then leaves, his son Polemarchus takes up the conversation.
The conversation then becomes heated as the Sophist Thrasymachus counters that "justice is for the benefit of the stronger" and argues that living unjustly is a better and happier life, as long as one does not get caught.
From Book 2 onwards, the dialogue partners change to Glaucon and Adeimantus, and the dialogue continues through Book 10.
In Book 1, Socrates thought he had refuted Thrasymachus's argument, but the two brothers posed another question to him. To answer this question, Socrates suggested that they examine a state that has "justice" to find out what justice truly is.
This discussion concludes in Volume 4 with an examination of the soul composition of a just state and its inhabitants.
Socrates also examines several types of unjust states to verify who lives happier and more joyfully, the just or the unjust, and then says that it is desirable for a person who loves wisdom (a philosopher) to become the ruler of a state, and explains what kind of person such a 'person who loves wisdom' is.
The discussion on the nature of a philosopher develops into the question of what kind of education should be used to cultivate philosophers, and this leads to the explanation that education should be provided so that philosophers can see the idea of goodness, using the famous allegory of the cave, the allegory of the sun, and the allegory of the line segment.
The discussion of the ideal political system begins again in Volume 8.
It explains how a government of honor, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny arise in succession from a government of kings, and also mentions the corresponding types of people.
Based on this analysis, it is proven that those who are closest to the king's way are the happiest and those who are closest to the tyranny are the most unhappy, and if it is argued that living unjustly is more beneficial, it shows that humans cannot help but become terrible monsters.
In Volume 10, after explaining the evils of imitative poetry, he brings up the immortality of the soul and concludes the long discussion by talking about the rewards that those who live righteously will receive in this world as well as in the afterlife.
To taste the essence of Plato's philosophy without getting lost
As Athenian democracy entered a period of decline and social and political turmoil, Plato developed a yearning for an ideal state, which is fully reflected in his work, The Republic.
The Republic is a unique text that has provided the foundation for diverse discussions in virtually every field of Western civilization, including political science, philosophy, literature, and education, for the past 2,400 years.
However, many people are overwhelmed by the sheer volume and the seemingly labyrinthine arguments and end up looking for abridged versions or commentaries.
However, if you pay attention to the framework in which the entire structure of this book begins and flows, you can enjoy the pleasure of reading this book, one of the most brilliant works in the history of Western philosophy, without getting lost.
His disciple Glaucon suggested, “In reality, the just are disadvantaged, so it would be good to consider who is happier, the just or the unjust,” and Socrates argues this question meticulously and thoroughly (or answers all the side questions that come up in the middle), and the entire discussion is conducted there.
In publishing 『The Republic』 for the 50th time, Hyundai Jisung Classics not only translated it directly from the Greek original, but also meticulously refined the text so that Korean readers could easily understand the complex and speculative original text.
We've included 366 helpful footnotes so you don't have to search for parts you're curious about in the text, and we've provided explanations to help you see the forest and the trees in a balanced way, so you can savor the essence of Plato's philosophy without getting lost during the extensive reading process.
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: April 20, 2023
- Page count, weight, size: 552 pages | 696g | 150*225*28mm
- ISBN13: 9791139710892
- ISBN10: 1139710893
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