In this episode of Vital Remnants, Dr. Gary Gregg guides listeners through the final book of The Republic. He first discusses the opening of Book X, in which Plato presents the conflict between poetry and philosophy and spends a significant amount of time criticizing the poets–Homer in particular. Once again we are reminded of the tripartite soul and are challenged to consider how the types of entertainment we consume can corrupt the order of one’s soul over time. Dr. Gregg then examines the “Myth of Er,” Plato’s imaginative story of one man’s travels through the afterlife, and concludes with his thoughts on why Plato chose to end The Republicwith this imaginative tale and what it may mean for us today.  

Target 7 Reading: Book X, pp. 277-303 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 freemusicarchive.org/music/Damiano_Baldoni/