Review on Plato's Republic: Penguin Classics by Jeremy Black

Plato's 'State' is a very thoughtful and exploratory work on the perfect state, the role of justice in it and how it can be realised. Plato examines how the state should function in relation to justice and discusses what justice is, how it governs human action, and why it is so important. In his opinion, there are three classes in society: workers, warriors and rulers, who must coexist and work together. They are governed by appetite, mind (honor), or thought. For example, someone who is guided by an appetite but takes a position that should be controlled by another idea (say, a ruler) becomes bad for society, in this case a tyrant. Who should hold which positions, how they should be trained, and what things should be allowed in society and in their lives are discussed by Plato, but he still concludes that while money can sate appetite, it cannot Spirit Thinking and understanding bring true happiness, and justice brings true good. Education must ensure that goodness dominates the spirit of society, because great knowledge combined with evil intentions creates problems. The world itself has a visible and mental form, and the thinkers and philosophers have the widest access to the mental world. However, justice is inherently good and brings the greatest benefit to society. Plato's analysis of the state is very profound and interesting and this book is an easy translation to read and understand and recommend to everyone. This is really a must, especially in Greek literature as Plato is one of the greatest thinkers of all time.