Republic, Bk. VI

The Nature of a Philosopher

Bk. VI of Republic insists that those Guardians who are destined to be Philosopher-Kings (or rulers) must have certain aptitudes which they display at an early age.

'Is there any objection you can find, then, to a way of life that no one can adequately follow unless he's by nature good at remembering, quick to learn, high-minded, graceful, and a friend and relative to truth, justice, courage, and moderation?' (p. 412)

Only souls which have these aptitudes will be capable of becoming philosophers:

'Keeping all this in mind, recall the following question: Can the majority in any way tolerate or accept the reality of the beautiful itself, as opposed to the many beautiful things, or the reality of each thing itself, as opposed to the corresponding many? [...] Then the majority cannot be philosophic. [...] Hence they inevitably disapprove of those who practice philosophy? [...] And so do all those private individuals who associate with the majority and try to please them.' (p. 418)

The Divided Line

At the end of Bk. VI (p. 432-435), Plato divides everything into the realms of the 'Intelligible' and the 'Visible', but stresses the continuity between the two by imagining them as divisions of a single line.

The realm of the 'Intelligible' has as its objects the Forms (highest) and mathematical objects (lower). The corresponding activities of the soul are understanding (or intellection), which is concerned with the Forms, and thought, which is concerned with mathematical objects.

The realm of the 'Visible' has as its objects particulars (lower again), such as plants, animals and artifacts, and images, shadows and reflections of particulars (lowest of all). The corresponding activities of the soul are belief (or trust), which is concerned with particulars, and imagination, which is concerned with images (etc.) of particulars.

Understanding / Intellection    : Forms

Thought                                : Mathematical Objects

Belief / Trust                        : Plants, animals, artifacts

Imagination                          : Images, shadows, reflections

The Forms

1. Unique        (The Form is only one of its kind)

2. Pure exemplar    (Nothing else in Form except the Form)

3. Non-Identity    (Not identical with any particular that shares or participates in the Form)

------------------

Contrast between Forms and Particulars (things or actions)

1. Unconditional (Form) vs. Conditional (particular) (i.e. in some contexts, not in others)

2. Complete (Form) vs. Incomplete (particular)

(i.e. not in every part)

3. Immutable (Unchangeable) vs. Mutable (particular)

(i.e. growth and decay)

4. Absolute (Form) vs. Relative (particular)

(i.e. to some observers but not to others)

The Form of the Good