Philosophers in the "Republic": Plato's Two Paradigms

249 Pages·2012·1.23 MB·English

by  Roslyn Weiss

Philosophers in the R epublic

Philosophers in the R epublic
Plato’s Two Paradigms
Roslyn Weiss
Cornell University Press
Ithaca and London
Copyright © 2012 by Cornell University
All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or
parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in
writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University
Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850.
First published 2012 by Cornell University Press
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Weiss, Roslyn.
Philosophers in the Republic : Plato’s two paradigms / Roslyn Weiss.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8014-4974-1 (cloth : alk. paper)
1. Plato. Republic. 2. Justice (Philosophy) 3. Ethics. I. Title.
B395.W46 2012
321'.07 — dc23 2012015970
Cornell University Press strives to use environmentally responsible suppli-
ers and materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of
its books. Such materials include vegetable-based, low-VOC inks and
acid-free papers that are recycled, totally chlorine-free, or partly composed
of nonwood fi bers. For further information, visit our website at
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu.
Cloth printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For my beloved family
Excessive friendship for oneself is the cause of all of each man’s wrongdoings
on every occasion. . . . A man who is to attain greatness must be devoted not
to himself or to what belongs to him, but to what is just.
—Plato, Laws 5.731e-732a
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: Two Paradigms 1
1. Philosophers by Nature 11
2. Philosophers by Design I: The Making of a Philosopher 49
3. Philosophers by Design II: The Making of a Ruler 85
4. Socratic Piety: The Fifth Cardinal Virtue 129
5. Justice as Moderation 164
Conclusion: “In a Healthy Way” 208
Works Cited 219
Index 227

Acknowledgments
This book has been percolating for many years. Writing on the R epublic
is not a linear process. Interpretations seem right, then wrong, then better,
yet still not just right. One tries again, goes back to the beginning. Finally,
a book emerges—narrower in scope, more modest in ambition.
I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had to test and refi ne
my understanding of Plato’s great work. The fi rst occasion was a confer-
ence organized by John Ferrari at the University of California, Berkeley.
Other venues followed: St. Francis College, Mansfi eld University, the
Northeastern Political Science Association, the American Philosophical
Association, Marquette University, the Eastern Pennsylvania Philosophical
Association, Bar-Ilan University, University of South Carolina, the Society
for Ancient Greek Philosophy, University of South Florida, Case West-
ern Reserve University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University
of Haifa, the International Symposium Platonicum—Tokyo, the Boston
Area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy, the Israel Society for the Promo-
tion of Classical Studies, the Arizona Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy,