3/28 Plato Assignment

Q) Short Paragraph – Personal Reflection: Before reading the selection from Plato write at least one full paragraph on this question: Why do you think Plato (or anyone else) would want to censor Homer? Think about Achilles as a "hero," and why or why not his personal characteristics are something that should be promoted, or not.

It is because he is showing people how the heroes are wrong. Achilles was shown as a self caring and horrible warrior.


Q) Short Answers – Text based questions. Answer both questions, answers can be just a few sentences



a) According to Plato, what are some aspects of poetry that should be banned and why? In other words, how can poetry undermine the education of a Guardian?

Not Sure what undermines means but i'll still use it. It undermines it by explaining certain emotions (laughing) into the Guardians, then it's undermining all their training.


b) What should poetry “teach” and why?

Poetry should emphasize the gods, heroes, and values, also should teach people how they should act and what to do. Because poetry might have some knowledge in it and can teach others about life.

Q) If you were talking to Plato what would you say to him? Do you agree with his ideas? Do you think poetry, or literature in general, should be put to the purposes that he says it should?

I would tell him straight forward that his idea will never survive in society, it would be impossible for his ideas to come to a success. His ideas are almost impossible to actually happen and it's messing with some of the humans' natural instincts, such as emotions.

More Of The Republic

Q) Short Paragraph – Personal Reflection: Before reading the selection from Plato write at least one full paragraph on this question: Why do you think Plato (or anyone else) would want to censor Hesiod? Remember that Hesiod was the poet who wrote about the fight between the gods and the titans.

A) The reason is because it's not goingto what Plato and his peers are trying to say, and his beliefs are not being heard.Instead people believe in god. Plato is just angry because his beliefs can be heard. Plato thinks that Hesiod's is wrong, and that people should listen to him, rather then Hesiod.

Q) What are Homer and Hesiod guilty of?

A) Telling the wrong things about the gods and ancient heroes.

Q) What are the two main characteristics of “god” and what are the laws/principles of story telling based on those characteristics?

A) They say god is the cause of all good things, and that it does not cause anything bad to happen. Gods must be believed as if they are in reality.

Q) Compare what you wrote in your personal reflection above (#1) with what Plato wrote. How close were you to what Plato wrote?

A) I really don't know

Happy......?

If you act justly, will you find happiness? (Socrates)

I believe if you act justly you will indeed find happiness. Also if you act unjustly you can find happiness. The reason i think this is because in any way you can find happiness. But you might feel guilty for what you did. Also like what Socrates said, some people have to be unjust sometimes to get justice in return. Though these laws are terrible you can't always follow the rules, rules were meant to be broken. Socrates says, these rebels can face challenges in their lives. He was against a lot of people's opinions, and he got put to death by his own people. Which doesn't seem right to me at all.

Prompt: ~Harm Or No Harm~

Prompt: In your opinion, how can acting “right” (i.e. justly) help or harm the achievement of happiness? In your answer you need to first establish, in true Socratic fashion, what you mean by "right" (justice) and what you mean by happiness. What do you think Socrates would say about what you wrote and/or what do you think Thrasymachus would say?

Well i believe that with every great cause theres a catch to it. Or like a saying "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" So if you do something right or something good then there might be a catch. For example, when you have to go to college but its like clear across the country your family members don't want you to go because they'll miss you. But you want whats best for you so you have to go so you can reach your goal to achieve your life long dream, but as doing so your hurting your family members. This might not relate at all to the question but yah.

Justice: Doing Something right


My version of Happiness is doing something that you enjoy. If you love to play soccer or draw pictures then that would be your kind of happiness. As well, one thing will not make everyone happy.

They would probably ask for clarification on what i mean by "right" or "justice"
Also NEVER harm somebody for selfish reasons. Or revenge. Only for self-defense or being assaulted 1st.

3/20 Republic Assignment

1. Notice that our reading on Thrasymachus is divided into two parts. The first part is entitled – “First Statement and Criticisms”. In this first part, what are Socrates’ main argument(s) against the idea that justice is whatever the strong (i.e. the government) says it is?

That it's right to do what the stronger says and the stronger party sometimes makes rules that seem unfair or sometimes not in their interest.

That the rules the stronger makes are always in their interest of their subjects, not just themselves.

2. In the second part – “Second Statement and Final Refutation” – what are Thrasymahcus’ two main points and what are Socrates’ two main points in response?

Justice is what is good for someone else, especially the stronger
Socrates' response: This is the opposite of what he said earlier, where a doctor/Stronger will always help his people/patients

Injustice is just as good as justice it self
Socrates' response: There is always punishment for injustice

3. In your opinion, is it ever right to harm somebody? Why or why not? What would Socrates and/or Thrasymachus say in response to your answer?

I don't believe it's right at all to harm somebody. Especially if it's for revenge or selfish reasons. If you believe in Karma then what you do to that person then it will come around and bite you back. Besides if you do something to that person for something bad your only swooping down to there level and your not helping anybody. I'm Not Sure what they would say really. Haven't got a clue. They might disagree with me probably.

~A Friend~

A friend.

A friend is like a living part of you that you are able to see and talk to about anything on your mind. A friend is somebody who you can call anytime of the day when needed. Someone you can trust to be there for you. A friend is somebody who knows you from the inside out as well as you do. Who knows your fears and knows your joys. A friend is someone who you can share you preaches moments and also your embarrassing moments. Also more importantly someone who likes you for who you are, not from what people think of you. A friend is there to stand up for you in the tightest moments.

"A Friend is a Life"

3/16 "Class Work"

Q: In your opinion, is Polemarchus definition of justice, derived from the poet Simonedes, an improvement from his father’s definition?

A: No Clue as of right now


Q: What is Simonides definition of justice? Has Polemarchus interpreted him correctly?

A: Simonedes says that justice is helping your friends and hurting your enemies. Polemarchus actually agrees with this.


Q: What problem does Socrates see in the phrase, “helping one’s friends and harming ones enemies”? Why is this not an accurate definition of justice?

A: He says that the quote is related too much on emotion. It doesn't take into consideration that maybe your enemy could be a good person and your friend be a bad person.

Q;What lesson do you think Socrates/Plato is trying to prove by having Polemarchus give in to Socrates when his father (Cephalus) would not?

A: The lesson shows that the young and inexperienced are hasty to change their mind than an older and experienced person because the young don't know a lot that the older people know. So maybe the younger don't know what there getting into.


Q: Whose argument do you find more convincing, Polemarchus or Socrates? Why? (This should be a longer response, short paragraph, about 5 sentences).

A: I would have to say that Socrates is more convinicing then Polemarchus in this argument. The reason is because Polemarchus' belief is based only on the needs of the believer. What he thinks doesn't spread out and take care of everyone else. Justice is meant to bring peace to all good men. If you're going to defend your friends and only hurt you enemies, this only means that you only care for yourself and nobody else around you.

Similie of the Cave (Section 1)

1. Socrates asks Glaucon to suppose that one of the prisoners is freed and leaves the cave (p. 242 section 515d). What happens to the prisoner when he gets outside? Why does this happen to the prisoner?

Glaucon says that, if the prisoners were to be left loose, they would be dazzled and wouldn't be able to handle it. They wouldn't be able to believe that what they were seeing in the cave were all a lie. They would have to be dragged out of the cave if they were to see the world.

2. Socrates states that the prisoners would try to kill anyone who tries to liberate them and lead them out of the cave (pp. 243 – 244 section 517a). Why would the prisoners kill someone who is trying to lead them outside?

Because they believe that what they all need is in this cave. They believe now what is showed to them by using shadows.

3.What is special about “the intelligible region” and why is it important for public servants/political leaders (p. 244 section 517 b and e) ?

Well it's saying that it's controlling the source of truth and intelligence.

4. What is wrong with having uneducated people run society? What is wrong with having intellectuals (i.e. well-educated people) run society (p. 323 section 519c)?

I couldn't find this part in the book even though it says it there but i don't think that's right. But i believe it's bad because they don't know what they are doing. Also they might not apply a force against the people. It might as well be a mad house with no rules.

5. On pp. 323 – 324 (section 519 section d – section 520) Socrates tells Glaucon what the “job” of a lawmaker is. What is the job of a lawmaker and how is a lawmaker supposed to influence the best minds?

...theres no page 323-324. So im sort of confused on this.

Fact From Fiction (Plato)

Well there was this one time at the beginning of "Loose Change" where it was saying that the government planned out something against cuba? i think. I don't quite remember but when i saw that i was blown away because i thought the government was on our side. They were suppose to help us but when i saw that it was unbelievable.

It made me realize what this world has come too and that we are actually being censored and we don't even know it. Also as well as anger. I was really mad too hear that we were being lied to for so long.

But afterwards i wasn't too surprised because, Julian, always says that everything is a government conspiracy and now i really believe that so it wasn't to surprised.

~*~*PRIDE*~*~

Well i have i would have to say that most likely my self esteem is in the middle. Usually I'm afraid of what would people think of me if i was to be like this. Or if i was to say something i would rethink it and wonder if that would be the right thing to say. Though some self esteem does help me in many ways. Example if somebody said something about my shoes or anything of my clothing. I wouldn't not care. It's wants inside that counts and for people like me for who i am. Though i am pretty happy how i am right now. I wouldn't change too much about me right now.

3/2 Iliad Assignment

Well during this section of the book, even though we skipped through it, it was very clear. Nothing much happened just that Patroclus goes into battle for Achilles. Wearing Achilles armor so everybody would think that he has returned. Sadly Patroclus is cut short from his mission. Apollo shoots a spear straight threw him. But Patroclus has a vision saying that Apollo is going to be killed by Achilles to avenge his death. Apollo laughs at the fact.

No Questions!

Patroclus will Indeed be Avenged!