In this inaugural episode of our walk through Plato's Republic, Dr. Gary Gregg introduces listeners to the importance of "The Republic" and lays out a few key concepts of Platonic thought that will help inform the modern reader's understanding as they work through the text. He then walks through the various definitions of Justice presented throughout the dialogue and discusses the implications of each for both leadership and politics(20:00). The question of what is necessary to compel good people to rule is considered (36:15), followed by The "Ring of Gyges" story(46:00). He then recounts Adeimantus's assertion that society, culture and family influence our actions and shows how this contributes to the nature v. nurture argument (53:19). Dr. Gregg ends with an overview of what will be covered in Target 2 (55:47).

Target 1 Reading: Book I and Book II through 367e, pp. 3-44 of "The Republic of Plato", 2nd edition, translated by Allan Bloom (Basic Books, 1968 and 1991).

Download Dr. Gregg’s Guide to The Republic here

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Intro: Bridget Kim

Host: Dr. Gary L. Gregg II

Editor: Connor Tracy

Music: Selected from http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Damiano_Baldoni/