Introduction
The Republic and the Symposium
To begin with, both Plato’s Republic and Symposium share numerous similarities regarding the notions’ definitions and philosophers’ roles in shaping them. In addition, the concepts display the philosophy’s impact on individuals’ lifestyles and, therefore, beliefs. Overall, Plato applies Socrates’ viewpoint with the aim of identifying a considerable dissimilarity between the two worlds: the one of being and the other of becoming. Another critical point is that this difference has been responsible for affecting the search for knowledge ever since; hence, this topic served as a reason for producing both pieces.
The Narrative
Comparing the Openings of Symposium and Republic
In the beginning, the question of justice’s nature is clearly answered in the Republic, whereas the Symposium is based on male beliefs and opinions regarding an incredible feeling of love. Additionally, both openings include Socrates’ viewpoint regarding the aspects of proper education, “The object of education is to teach us to love what is beautiful” (Plato 5). The pieces conclude the impact of the discussed issues on the real world and, therefore, I agree with Strauss’ point about the necessity of researching Plato’s works to understand a general meaning of philosophy (Robertson 38). In addition, as the philosopher discusses the primary issues of human nature, both openings, according to Strauss, “can be illuminating for contemporary concerns” (Robertson 38). Overall, the most impressive part is that Plato managed to connect the Republic and the Symposium by providing inter-textual references to indicate the parallels between the two dialogues.
The Parable of the Cave
As stated, the Republic focuses on the notion of the world of being, which the parable of the cave considers the one with living human beings. In the allegory, Socrates explains his viewpoint regarding this world by including the scene with individuals trapped in the cave, forced to spend their lives watching their own shadows. However, when they are freed from the trap, they understand the meaning of the cave’s darkness: it serves as a horrible real world’s replication. Overall, the primary idea of this story is that people stuck in the cave do not recognize the cruciality of philosophy, while the person who saves them is the one who is strongly connected to this notion.
Encounter with Cephalus
Socrates and Glaucon visit the Piraeus to attend a festival in honor of the Thracian goddess Bendis, where they are led to Polemarchus’ house. Consequently, Socrates speaks to Cephalus about old age, wealth benefits, and justice, “Wealth is the parent of luxury and indolence, and poverty of meanness and viciousness, and both of discontent” (Plato 24). However, Cephalus advances the view that his strong character rather than his wealth is the secret of his aging and contentment.
Conclusion
The two openings include Plato’s thoughts on the dissimilarity of real-life philosophers and the impeccable ones, apparent only in the literature or imagination. Still, it is crucial to remember that both pieces share the same topics of human desires, motives, and men’s association with the good and right. Plato also employs structural parallelism to connect the pieces and, consequently, concentrate on the differences between both openings.
Works Cited
Plato. The Republic. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2021.
—. The Symposium. Focus Pub./R. Pullins Company, 1998.
Robertson, Neil. “Leo Strauss’s Platonism.” Animus, 1999. Web.