1. Plato, The Republic

2. Question 1.
“And how will they proceed? Will each bring the result
of his labors into a common stock?— the individual
husbandman, for example, producing for four, and
laboring four times as long and as much as he need in
the provision of food with which he supplies others as
well as himself; or will he have nothing to do with others
and not be at the trouble of producing for them, but
provide for himself alone a fourth of the food in a fourth
of the time, and in the remaining three-fourths of his
time be employed in making a house or a coat or a pair
of shoes, having no partnership with others, but
supplying himself all his own wants?”
In your own words, describe the dilemma or choice that
is being put here.

3. Question 1.
“The choice that is being put forward is that
of should a person do one thing well and sell
it to get what they need from other people or
should they do everything for themself at a
poorer quality. It is asking if it is better to try
and do everything for yourself rather than
doing what you are good at and relying on
others to do the rest for you.”
Zeb

4. Question 2.
It is agreed in the dialogue that a worker will
be more efficient when he only has one
occupation. What reasons are given for this?

5. Question 2
“A worker would be more efficient if they
had only one occupation, because they
would learn that one skill and become better
at it and faster at it over time. They would
produce quality things at a fast rate, making
things more efficient than if people focused
on many occupations at the same time.”
Anna

6. Question 2
“The main reason given to support the statement is
that a worker will be more efficient working in only
one occupation, and specialising in certain skills
will allow the task to be completed to a higher
standard. A large factor regarded in one
specialising skill is their natural ability of this skill
and if there is any natural talent. ‘There are
diversities of natures among us which are adapted
to different occupations.’ (Excerpt A)”
Kathy & Rosie

7. Question 3.
In this excerpt, Plato is making the
argument that the city should be ruled by
specialised philosopher-kings. Explain this
argument.

8. Question 3.
“As explained in excerpt A, specialisation is
required for a task to be done to its full
potential, and in excerpt B Plato explains
that the same principle must be applied to
politics, with a specialist ruler required for a
city to operate to its full potential.”
Aidan

9. Question 4.
What does the allegory of the cave have to
do with Plato’s belief that the city should be
ruled by the philosophers?

10. Question 4.
“Plato believes that the philosophers are like
prisoners who have escaped from looking at
the wall. They perceive things in a new light
and the “true reality”. The Prisoners who are
looking the shadows can be compared to the
labourers who only specialize in one area of
work.”
Nic

11. Question 5.
• “Which of the two classes should be the
rulers of our State?” Who are the two
classes? Which class does Plato think
should rule the state? Why?

12. Question 5.
• “Plato believes that the ruler of the State
should be “Whichever of the two are best able
to guard the laws and institutions of our State
— let them be our guardians [rulers].”
(Excerpt D.)The two classes are the wise and
educated and the uneducated. Plato
personally believes that the philosophers
should be the rulers of the State as they have
a deeper understanding of life and are better
equipped.”
Kate