The Republic

Book III in The Republic by Plato the discussion of a just city deeply continues. The people that will become the rulers of the just city, the Guardians, are the main topic. The hierarchy of the society begins to come into better understanding and most importantly we are given the means through which that hierarchy is established and of course preserved. Socrates proposal of how to achieve a just society would effect the society's citizen's personal life decisions without any consent from the individual themself.

Socrates believes for future Guardians to be the best they can be, they'd have to place the all around interest of the community rather than their own personal interests before them. Socrates believes this can be achieved through careful attention to certain elements in their childhood. The ideal Guardians must be vigilant so the process in becoming truly vigilant includes developing vigilance early on, take a young child listening to music for example. Music with its aspects of harmony, melody, verse, rhythm, should have an effect on young guardians if exposed. Various forms of ancient Greek music elicit various emotional reactions from the audience, and some of them may encourage intemperance, by banning them, messages of relaxation will be avoided. The Guardians should be trained in temperance and to imitate the good at all times, some children who adopt bad roles and role-playing early on, mature into adults who continue to act bad throughout their lives, whether knowing so or not.

Tales told to maturing young Guardians must include obedience to commanders and leaders, logically it follows that honor and obedience from one's parents leads to obedience to future wise leaders. Socrates argues that some stories should and shouldn't be taught to the future Guardians. Socrates basically argues that the future Guardians of the state will be trained in the beautiful and the good in their childhood, and, as they mature, they will recognize and value these qualities and therefore retain their virtue.

I do not think Socrates proposal is just. Having a just society where every citizen has their own specific role to make the society function its best is a good idea however, having a path already chosen for citizens such as the Guardians, it is not just in itself. A just society is everything and everyone working in harmony to reach the goal or the idea of what a society should be like. By having members