Questions

While reading through this work I realized just how much Plato loves to invoke deep contemplation. In fact the purpose of this dialogue is to discover if there is any point to act justly other that the consequences your face or receive.  Socrates even stops mid dialogue to remind his opposition of the purpose behind forming this “ideal” city (pg.70 section 392 b). It is as if Socrates is reminding him not to get sidetracked from the original topic. Socrates is reminding him that the purpose behind their discussion is to answer the seemingly impossible question. The question of this dialogue pertains to the purpose of acting justly, while attempting to exclude all outer consequence. Plato then forms his idea city as a method of seeking out the truth. In this quest for the truth he begins to pose what seems like the most minuet questions. Each aspect of society that he calls to the attention of the reader has a vital role in the formation of the soul. For instance, he speaks of the importance of how his guardians are educated from childhood. This, once again, reiterates how impressionable a human is during childhood. Upon further examination, I have found this book ventures into many different aspect of philosophy, which is why I find it so interesting.  


P.S. I commented on Brannen's Post.