Plato was Socrates’ most famous student and was deeply influenced by his teacher’s views of how the pursuit of truth fits in with the good life. In this class session, we will introduce you to Plato’s most famous dialogue, the Republic, which features Socrates in his questioning element. We’ll read the famous Allegory of the Cave and discuss different views about “converting” others in a philosophical debate. We’ll also consider ancient debates about sophistry and relativism, and contemporary versions of some of these same debates.
Read This:
Key Concepts:
- Sophists
- Truth vs. Bullshit
- Allegory of the Cave
Have questions or thoughts about the reading? Post them on PollEverywhere, and upvote any classmates’ responses that you’d like to cover in class. We’ll address the most upvoted responses during the Q&A part of class.
Watch This:
Do This:
- Complete your first Map to the Good Life activity before your next dialogue meeting.
Pre-Class Questions
Your responses to the following questions are due on Canvas before class. Your top 15 scores of the semester will count toward your final grade.
- In many of his writings, Plato contrasts his teacher Socrates with the sophists, traveling intellectuals who, for a fee, would teach the art of persuasive speech to the sons of wealthy elites, who hoped to become successful politicians. For the sophists, the main point of argumentation was to gain power over others through persuasion. What is a modern example of a similar profession or similar figure? Explain.
- Identify at least two significant contrasts between the sophists’ approach to argumentation/truth (as described in the previous question) and the approach suggested by Plato’s allegory of the cave in today’s reading.
- What do you think Plato means when he writes that the prisoners in the cave are “like to us”? Do you agree? Explain.
Living the Good Life
Reflections addressing prompts from the Epistemology unit (“Question Everything” through “Believe Your Truth”) are due on Canvas by 11:59pm on October 27. You may write up to two “Living the Good Life” reflections in the first half of the semester and up to two in the second half of the semester. You can also revise and resubmit one reflection for a new grade, within one week after your grade is posted. Your top three scores will count toward your final grade.
What is one kind of misinformation/bullshit you find yourself vulnerable to? Describe a recent scenario where you either felt like you either believed something too quickly or felt manipulated to be too skeptical. Then describe a strategy you could follow to make yourself less vulnerable to this kind of misinformation/bullshit in the future. Be as specific as you can.
