Do you think Plato’s complaints about the role of the philosopher in society are accurate today? Is there a role for the philosopher in running the state today? If so, what would that role be? If not, why not, and is it desirable to have philosophers running the government?

READ BOOK I, VI, VII, and VIII of Plato’s Republic

PLEASE ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. Describe and explain Plato’s metaphor of the cave. Who are the prisoners, and in what ways are they imprisoned in the cave? How is it possible to exit the cave? What happens after a person exits the cave?

2. What do you think of Plato’s harsh criticisms of his society? Do they seem fair? Do you think his negative assessment of society holds true today? If so, why? If not, why not?

3. Do you think Plato’s complaints about the role of the philosopher in society are accurate today? Is there a role for the philosopher in running the state today? If so, what would that role be? If not, why not, and is it desirable to have philosophers running the government?

FORMATTING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Write more than 4 full pages, and less than 6. You may answer the questions individually, or you may answer in essay form.

2. Your paper should be double spaced, 12-pt. font, 1 inch margins.

3. Please include a title page with the name of the assignment, your name, the class name, due date of the assignment, and the professor’s name. DO NOT PUT ANY OTHER HEADING ON EITHER PAGE OF YOUR ESSAY. Headings are merely a waste of space. (The title page is not included in the 5-7 page requirement, nor are any endnotes or bibliography.)

4. You do not need to use outside sources, but you are welcome to. If you do use other sources, please provide a full reference for them (footnotes/endnotes and bibliography). If you are only using the Republic, you do not need to give bibliographical information, but you should cite specific passages in the text using the marginal page numbers (e.g., 508c-509a).

5. Although this is a response paper, this is not merely personal opinion. Whatever answers you give to the questions should be supported by arguments – reasons why what you say is true. You should also thoroughly reference the text of Plato’s Republic by citing the page numbers that you cite.

6. Each question consists of several subsidiary questions. Make sure that you address each part of each question.