Connection and Characters

As Socrates begins to build his city in words, he begins by describing and prescribing different roles in the city. He refers to the different roles and their significance and makes the argument that "different men are apt for different jobs" and claims that a man who specializes in one thing is far greater than a jack of all trades. He applies this truth to the whole city, saying that everyman should have and be limited to one specific craft in order for the society to work. He says each thing will become "more plentiful, finer, and easier, when one man, exempt from other tasks, does one thing according to nature and at the crucial moment."

When I read the previous quote my mind immediately wandered to the "Divergent" series. Although I am not familiar with the book itself, the movie conveys a society very similar. Each individual is brought up in certain class or "faction." They are "exempt from other tasks" as they eventually choose a craft and stick to it by law. This is probably a very apparent connection, but I found it interesting all the same.

The other thing I found interesting was the way Socrates denied many mythological characters due to their various inconsistencies of character. Not only did I find this strange and ironic, but very bold on Socrates' behalf to deny the gods believed by so many. Socrates believes that "such tales must cease, for fear that they sow a strong proclivity for badness in our young." To me, his boldness reflects and presents the strong struggle that the deep thinkers of this age faced in regards to the gods. Are the gods holy and just? Do we believe in such gods? It is clear that they are not, due to the fact that Socrates would not include the tales of their vices in his ideal society.

Just thoughts.

P.S. I commented on Ashley's post.