Analyzing 'The Republic' by B. Jowett: Mosaicum Books 2018 Edition - A Critical Book Review

Abstract

Plato's famous literary creation, The Republic, has emerged as a highly significant and academically significant opus within philosophical and political thought. Plato's Socratic discussion, composed in 380 BC, explores the concept of justice, delving into the organization and nature of the moral city-state and the just individual.  I am excited about this new movie that just came out. It has received rave reviews, and the exact moment of the exchange's occurrence has been a subject of extensive scholarly discussion. While it is widely accepted that the conversation is set within the timeframe of the Peloponnesian War, assigning a particular year between 432 and 404 would introduce significant historical inconsistencies. Socrates, accompanied by a diverse group of Athenians and individuals from other regions, engages in a discourse regarding justice. They undertake an examination to determine whether a just individual experiences greater happiness compared to an unjust individual. This exploration involves the creation of several hypothetical cities through verbal discourse, ending in conceptualizing a city called Kallipolis, which kings of philosophy govern. Additionally, the character of current political systems is scrutinized as part of this inquiry. The discourse among those involved also encompasses examining forms, the concept of eternal life for the soul, and the societal functions attributed to philosophers and poets.