6. Philosophers and Kings: Plato's Republic, V

Introduction to Political Philosophy (PLSC 114)

In this last session on the Republic, the emphasis is on the idea of self-control, as put forward by Adeimantus in his speech. Socrates asserts that the most powerful passion one needs to learn how to tame is what he calls thumos. Used to denote "spiritedness" and "desire," it is associated with ambitions for public life that both virtuous statesmen as well as great tyrants may pursue. The lecture ends with the platonic idea of justice as harmony in the city and the soul.

00:00 - Chapter 1. The Control of Passions
08:53 - Chapter 2. A Proposal for the Construction of KallipolIs
17:34 - Chapter 3. Justice
26:28 - Chapter 4. The Philosopher-King
33:26 - Chapter 5. What Are Plato's Views on Modern America?

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Fall 2006.