Synopsis of Plato's Republic - Book Report/Review Example

In this respect, the opinions of the people who do not have knowledge of the good are blind, shameful, and ugly (Plato 180, 506c). Pursuit of knowledge and truth is equally important for the philosopher; however, he holds that both knowledge and truth are caused by the form of good which is a superior entity. Later Plato tries to bring about the difference between being and becoming; he holds that the being is comprised of both intelligible and visible components and one should be able to separate the intelligible from the visible.

Plato then goes on to establish the connection between sight and light and goes on to explain how these concepts can be applied to the souls of the individuals. Just as one cannot see things clearly in the darkness, the soul cannot grasp the truth in obscurity whereas it can see things vividly when it is illuminated by truth. For Plato, the process of perception involves four subsections: “understanding for the highest, thought for the second, belief for the third, and imaging for the last” (Plato 185, 511d).

For him, belief and imaging contribute to opinion whereas knowledge and thought to contribute to intellect. In Book VII the author continues to argue that it is the form of good that offers the visible and the knowable realm of beauty, light, truth, and understanding. Plato, later on, entrusts the philosopher kings to govern the state as they have “seen the truth about fine, just, and good things” and are able to “know each image for what it is and also that of which it is the image” (Plato 192, 520c).

The author then goes on to describe the training of philosopher kings. The philosopher kings at first need to be educated in music, poetry, and physical training. Besides, they should have sound knowledge in number and calculation, geometry, astronomy, and dialectic. Plato holds that calculation, geometry, and other preliminary education to develop dialectic should be offered in childhood itself. To conclude, Plato wants his rulers to undergo training in all the above-mentioned disciplines, and having known the form of good, such leaders need to govern and guide others in his ideal republic.