How to Read Plato's Republic (10 Tips)

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0:00 introduction to Plato's Republic
1:30 why read Plato's Republic?
2:00 the importance of deep-reading
3:00 recommended edition of the Republic
3:30 what is Plato's Republic about?
5:00 meeting Socrates
6:00 what is justice?
7:00 what is the Socratic Method?
9:00 democracy & the death of Socrates
10:00 should you agree with Plato?
11:00 Plato and totalitarianism
11:20 Pythagoras & Parmenides
14:00 who were Plato & Socrates?
15:00 Aristophanes on Socrates
16:00 the trial of Socrates
17:00 why was Socrates so important?
18:30 Sparta & the Republic
20:00 the constitution of Sparta
24:30 bringing the dialogues alive
25:30 disagreeing with Plato/Socrates
26:20 how to become a philosopher
27:30 two branches of philosophy
28:40 five types of philosophical exposition
32:00 two stages for approaching a philosopher
32:50 the importance of defining your terms
33:20 Plato's Republic as imaginative literature
34:20 learning to read metaphor
35:00 how to read Utopian Literature
37:00 learning persuasion from Socrates
37:30 pairing Socrates with Sherlock Holmes
38:00 the noble lie of the Republic
40:00 the banishment of Homer
41:20 reading the Republic with a group
42:00 on making your own mind up
42:30 the Plato lecture series
43:50 questions for you

[@adellajones9887]

I am commenting here due to this video being the most recent. I recently discovered your channel and I am just blown away. I am over 60 years old and still feel like I am just beginning. I have been reading since I was 20 years old but knew I missed something in my reading. I had NO ONE - not a single person - that I could talk to about anything I was interested in. It gets depressing when one thinks that they are the only one who thinks the Tudor dynasty is fascinating (this was about 40 years ago). I love books written between 1770 and 1930 periods of time. Anyway - I think I found a new best friend and absolutely love this channel. WOWEE!!!

[@MikeFuller-ok6ok]

I am poor at reading but I dote upon academics such as yourself. I would like to learn about subjects such as 'German Romanticism', Plato's 'Theory of Forms', Goethe's 'Theory of Colours' ( although I think I can grasp the basics of that ) and some of these groundbreaking theories now which unite consciousness with theoretical physics such as Chris Langan's 'Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe' ( CTMU ) and Edward Close and Vernon Neppe's 'Gimmel Theory'. I think the latter two theories are a bit like the West Coast pot smoking Terrence McKenna type of mystifying nonsense but to quote Goethe "I admire those who seek the impossible." I admire intelligent thoughts whether I understand them or not! I find it great that so many people are far, far more intelligent than myself. It pleases me.

[@keithlongley362]

I don't believe this, I started reading the republic simply, because it had been lying on my shelf for years. The fascination for me, is you are essentially travelling back in time and listening to a great discourse between learned icons of men who could relate to Homer's works. I'd read the iliad and the Odyssey two years ago so this seemed a natural progression. Incidentally I've also started Blood Meridan, and I'm enjoying that as well. You are a star Sir, I really appreciate your mentorship.

[@wingit7335]

I found this video yesterday and read the Republic today. Beautiful to know there are people like you in the world brother. Thank you so much.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That is incredibly kind of you! Thank you so much for watching. I appreciate you ☺️🙏

[@prahelikarana1264]

As I am new to these genre of books. I just wanted to understand how to start. This video is perfect to understand what I am deal with when it comes to Ancient Greek philosophy. A perfect introduction. Thank you for the help.

[@chickencharlie1992]

Well well well look at what we have here... A literature video nearly perfect to the form

[@lizzyfrykman4527]

I have been meaning to get into Plato a bit deeper, so this video came at the perfect time, thank you! I can't wait to dive into The Republic at a deep, thoughtful level.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Nice one, Lizzy :) I’d love to hear what you make of it!

[@carolynl4369]

Your videos are so informative and your enthusiasm for philosophy is catching - I’ve just picked up Plato’s Republic, so your videos are invaluable. Really wish I could be a part of your book group/lectures 📚❤️

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I really appreciate that :) Thank you, Carolyn! I hope you enjoy Plato's Republic!

[@carlosricardosilvavera638]

I'm currently reading the republic, i'm in chapter 14 (i also have Robin Waterfield's translation), too bad i didn't find this video before. This book is mi first book of real philosophy and i'm really enjoying it.

[@abhinavdeysarkar]

This is so helpful and just in time because I was thinking of reading Plato's Republic but always have to put the thought in the box and throw it in the corner of my room. After all, it's Plato, so had many questions and wanted a deep pre-understanding, before reading such a great book, I was in a search of a video on KZbin about translations and many questions around the topic...and here I am with a confident understanding of where to start and how to start. Thank you so so much!

[@mr.thegreat557]

I’m reading the Desmond Lee translation. I’m surprised at how easy it is to read. I’ve never read Greek philosophy before, but I feel different since I started, hard to explain.

[@anneharrison3341]

Thank you so much. I was not highly educated and I spent most of my adult life reading positive thinking books. I have discovered classics and philosophy books over the last short while. Without this incredible introduction I am sure I would have thought “what the”. Your passion, knowledge and those blue eyes give me a head start and I’m sure I will revisit this video during and after reading as I often have with other books. All the best wishes to you from Australia.

[@th3omachos]

I got a hecking jumpscare when i saw how few people viewed this video, it is really sad how videos very well made and well thought disappear in KZbin. Thanks for the tips, i've read some books by Plato (I hope to read them all) and now i'm going to the Republic.

[@parlaydoubleup]

I started reading the republic today. I’ve been building my interest in literature and the “great works” and your channel has added gas to my fire. Thank you for your invaluable insight!

[@stuartwells4133]

I clicked on this video last night not thinking I’d even keep watching a 44.41 minute talking video, but I stayed right until the end. I found this video very interesting and definitely something I would like to read one day Plato’s Republic.

[@NikephorosAer54]

Bravo ! "We are part in the discusion too!" Every time I read Πολιτεία I feel, like you say, in, there, inside. Yet, let's mension that Good for Πλάτων, is the Sun, the Light. A Greek friend, Demetrios Maniates.

[@rennanpoeta]

Benjamin, seus vídeos são verdadeiros deleites. Posso ficar por horas a fio ouvindo você falar sobre literatura. Obrigado por existir!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you so much, Rennan :) I really appreciate that! Obrigado por assistir :)

[@bradchristy5002]

Exceptional insight and extremely useful. This most certainly is a nice beginning discussion. Your work is priceless!

[@donaldkelly3983]

First, another well executed presentation. I read The Republic twenty years ago, along with the major dialogues. I came to the conclusion that Plato didn't want philosophers to rule the state, but create an ideal republic where you could philosophize. I know there is more to The Republic than that, however. I had always heard Sparta was a horrible place to live, but reading Plutarch on the subject showed the particulars. Kill the helots without consequence, etc. Politically Plato was the enemy of an open society, as Karl Popper declared.

[@araucaria5173]

Such a really great primer for The Republic, I've put it onto my reading list after this video. Thanks .

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm so glad you found it useful :) Happy reading!

[@CoolBeans45]

Perfect timing, I started reading this last week & am almost through book 1.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Nice one :) I hope you enjoy it!

[@devinfuller4045]

So glad i found this channel! Thank you for the amazing content Benjamin!!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I appreciate that, Devin :) Thank you so much for watching!

[@devinfuller4045]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy My pleasure. I referred your channel to a few of my mates since we all enjoy the classics to a degree we established a junto type get together to read, review, debate, etc, all of the great authors we have at our fingertips!

[@yasienmohamed5868]

Thanks for s very informative lecture. I think i understand the essence of Plato better in these forty minutes than when I read Plato's Republic forty yrsrs years ago as sn undergraduate student of philosophy. Im inspired to read it again, perhaps not the whole book, but im particularly interested in the virtues of justice and courage

[@mr.thegreat557]

First time reading Plato (Penguin Classics) only half way through. It’s a brilliant read.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm thrilled you're enjoying it :)

[@Xander102]

I’ve never read Plato , I’m intimidated, I don’t know if I’m smart enough to read his works . I’m going to try , because it all sounds so fascinating I’m half Greek myself and I feel like I should know more about Plato and Socrates … I’m now going to buy and read Plato. Ima give it go and try .

[@Insatiableviel007]

I would highly recommend you to read the Arthashastra by Vishnugupta Chanakya and the Upanishads... I think these books have much more deeper philosophical relevance.

[@chanderkant9545]

Your knowledge as well as your speaking style is fantastic. I am from India, but i don't face any difficulty in understanding your accent.

[@unchiep216]

Signor McEvoy. Another top video, bruv! Been wanting to tackle this for a while - I studied it at A-Level Philosophy but cant remember any of it. Excellent stuff. I'm going to start this. I'm an actor/theatre director and you should definitely do a video on the great playwrights. (I recall you mentioned in a previous video you wanted to be a playwright?) I think that would be great. Unrelated, and if you havent already, check out Journey to the end of the night by Louis Ferdinand Celine. Incredible. Keep up the great contact, Ben. I always look forward to your videos.:)

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you! I’m thrilled to hear you’re breaking into it again :) I’m actually putting together a regular “play of the month” feature at the moment. We had a podcast out recently on Arthur Miller, and more on the way on Chekhov, Ibsen, Wilde, and the great playwrights. That’s so great to hear you’re in theatre - it’s my dream :) And thanks for the recommendation! I read Céline’s End of the Night years and years ago, but I absolutely need to return to it. I think I’d get much more out of it now!

[@light000blue]

Thank you for this inspiring and highly informative introduction, to someone that has not read Plato yet, but now, surely want to. As you speak of going into a dialogue with the writer, I remembered that there is an edition of the Republic by the philosopher Alain Badiou, where he supposedly does that., to update the dialogue to our times. Do you know anything about that book?

[@adrianasanchez3669]

Once again, wonderful video!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Adriana :)

[@pavithrasrinivasan4459]

Thank you for this video. I have followed your guidelines to read Proust and I’m loving the journey. So grateful. And also, those Proust and other cubes at your shelf are wow. Where shall I get such cubes?

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Pavithra :) I'm so happy to hear you're enjoying your Proust journey! Those lovely cubes were a kind gift from a book club member. I believe she found them from an Etsy store but designed them herself. There's Proust, Melville, Cormac McCarthy, and Shakespeare :)

[@ibnarasayoub5220]

I've been seeking some tips and thoughts on this book. 👍🏻🖤

[@khadimndiaye7730]

Definitely want to read Republic, read already the Apology and currently planning all of Plato 😅

[@jankoszuta9835]

What a brilliant video!

[@allon33]

Well done, giving us all a good talking to. 👍

[@garimadutta6005]

I would love to listen to your analysis of The Iliad. I picked up the book recently but I feel so intimidated by it.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm actually planning a lot of Homer content at the moment, so I'll definitely be giving you my analysis of The Iliad, and The Odyssey :)

[@razanaljiryes7808]

The world is a better place because we have you Ben .. ❤

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Aw, thank you so much, Razan. That is so incredibly kind of you 🙏❤️

[@GraceKugrena]

This whole video was brilliant

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Grace :)

[@caffeineandphilosophy]

Excellent introduction

[@alllowercase6277]

wow energise, inspire and embolden it most certainly did. electric, scintillating. most books i just fall into thoughtlessly but the republic needs prep, and this amazing video was perfect for this. am on the waterfield version too, and the critical introduction alone is like a piece of philosophical work onto itself. thank you for this tour de force of a vid benjamin. i am subscribed.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, my friend! I appreciate that so much :) I'd love to hear your thoughts on Plato as you make your way through!

[@toddbelanger1923]

This is intense... Love it...brain shaking video...Yahooooo

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Todd :) Brain shaking video! I love that :)

[@joaoseibold777]

I have discovered you recently and you change my perspective on literature. I'm currently rereading my favourite books, which has long been over due. I'm considering signing up for the Hardcore Literature Book Club. Do I have access to all the content you produced or only for example the Proust contents ? Lots of love from Germany

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you, Joao! It's so great to have you watching over in beautiful Germany :) You would be very warmly welcomed to the club, and we would be so happy to have you reading with us. Signing up for the Proust Tier unlocks everything :)

[@battybibliophile-Clare]

I am reading a year long read of Greek Drama, but I am very interested in this project too. I shall read and watch the videos as they are interested. I am a recent supporter of your channel.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That's so great to hear, Clare. Any favourites from your year-long read of Greek Drama? I recently went back to Prometheus Bound and found the experience incredibly sublime.

[@battybibliophile-Clare]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy we read "Prometheus Bound" in January as the second read, and it was something of a culture shock. I need to read deeper and around Greek drama, but by the end of the year we will have read all the Greek plays. I am enjoying "Oedipus Rex" currently. However, there is so much to learn from the Greeks, I shall be going back again and again.. My copy of Plato's republic is on it's way. Your video really inspired me. Thanks so much for so enthusing me.

[@mohammedsadiq7038]

THANKS

[@gilbertgonzales915]

Thks

[@johnjabez6300]

When you said love is a choice not a feeling I went: 'A man who is speaking the truth

[@jimsteele3423]

I really love this channel thank you for your channel of your books you love to

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Jim! :)

[@MyHeartBeatistheWorld]

Excellent

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much 😀

[@thelaurels13]

I’ve always been intimidated by this, yet I’ve always wanted to read it. I’m afraid I’m not smart enough to understand it. Perhaps I should just get it and give it a go.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Absolutely, you should give it a go. You're definitely smart enough. You may be surprised how accessible the work is :)

[@susprime7018]

Then you arrive at Alexander the Great (egomaniac), we are reliving the horrors of the twentieth century and all the centuries. Bring back your shield or be upon it, that's cold Sparta Mom. Thank you from a Spinoza fan.

[@professorsogol5824]

An aphoristic philosopher wrote むさんやな甲の下のきりぎりす muzan ya na kabuto no shita no kirigirisu heartless: under the helmet, a cricket

[@ll3568]

Thanks for another great video Ben, just bought the complete works of Plato last week coincidentally and this video helped a lot in my preparation for reading the Republic, perhaps the one I’m most excited for. I’ve been researching an order in which to read his works and Oxford recommends different methods to tackle this as according to some Neoplatonists and scholars, apparently Plato perhaps changed his way of thinking over time or questioned certain conclusions in later dialogues. Would you recommend reading any of his other works before the republic given one has access to all of them? I’ve been told by past philosophy professors that it’s not worth getting bogged down in chronology and to simply start with what philosopher and specific work peaks your interest most initially, perhaps you feel the same. Cheers from the public library on Buena Vista in Burbank✌🏼

[@carneades4409]

Can't hurt to start with the Apology and Crito. The Gorgias treats some of the same themes as the Republic but is somewhat shorter and more accessible. But I agree with your past professors that you can start with whatever is most interesting to you.

[@ll3568]

@@carneades4409 good to know about those three, really appreciate the suggestions brother. Fair enough, I assumed I might find others who generally share that approach to reading

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) And it's fantastic to hear you've got all of Plato in front of you. I would personally agree with your philosophy professors, and Carneades above, that the best approach would be to pick the works that most intrigue you. They all have different thematic preoccupations. If you find the theme of love more interesting than justice, for example, you could read The Symposium before Plato's Republic (much slimmer read, and we have a video breaking this down in the book club). As for a chronological reading, it's a very cool idea and you may already know that I love doing this. It's quite a "deep cuts" approach when it comes to philosophers. If it excites you, I say go for it :) Plato's "first period" would include works like the Apology, Gorgias, and Creto. His "second period" has his Meno (which I love), Symposium, and Republic. Personally, I would recommend starting with the Republic, and branching off from there. And happy reading over in Burbank :)

[@ethangoggin9874]

Hello, Mr. Benjamin. I am enrolling in an English Program at my local college, I have some concerns though. I’ve heard a lot about “the school of resentment” and ideology in English programs. I wanted to know your thoughts on current academics in English. Should I be concerned about this?

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

My thoughts on current academics in English - that's a whole video in itself! I wouldn't like to generalise, as colleges and educational programs will vary wildly depending on a whole host of different factors. It would be best to learn about your specific program and what you're going to be reading. Going to college is an investment in yourself and your future (often an incredibly expensive one nowadays), so a little bit of research to ensure the investment is a wise one would be a good idea. And then, ultimately, going into the course with an open mind and a thirst for knowledge is important. Good luck with your studies - I'm sure you have a wonderful adventure in store for you :)

[@ethangoggin9874]

@@allen5455 one thing that alarmed me about my college is every semester they offer a course called “Gender and Sexuality in Literature,” but they offer nothing in Shakespeare or Milton, and they teach nothing before Chaucer. Reading Shakespeare in high school and again after is what inspired me to study Literature, but I fear ideology and politicization has ruined it.

[@s864008]

I want to start to read republic to know if the society they are portraiting is the one already been accomplished in the empire of Persia. Indeed, justice was the great axe of governance by Cyrus the great and Greek philosophers may have claimed it as their own thoughts and wishes.

[@williamnelson9332]

I think this is great and can use this after they destroy ower world as we now and start over if man is still around

[@MrGenarogutierrez77]

👍🏽

[@markantrobus6794]

PLEASE READ THE PRESOCRATICS MORE DEEPLY. Heraclitus ALSO SPOKE OF THE LOGOS. Where all is ONE. The rap on Parmenides is popular and mistaken. HERACLITUS and PARMENIDES. complement one another. Quantum physics redeems PARMENIDES.

[@allon33]

Plato controlled his Ego, and therefore channel the words of God. God loves us more than anyone else could.

[@allon33]

Socrates was the John Lennon of his time.

[@allon33]

And the tall whites told Charlie, we would rather take you to new worlds, where you can improve the world for both of us! Yet your military wants this all to remain secret.

[@cloudslady3400]

It has been sitting on my shelves for a while now….i successfully read Descartes books three of the hardest he has written and I feel drained…what makes ancient philosophy books impossible somehow is the language itself…I’m not a native English and the translations to Arabic are so horrible compared to the English version…so it took me a lot of suffering to adapt to the words and the concepts.. Otherwise I would pretty much finish it sooner I’ve always found philosophy to be super natural to me unless the language is complex…which is completely unnecessary if you have authentic knowledge why use cliche French words???…I lost a lot of respect to modern philosophers who use that method to seem sophisticated…

[@mawalir937]

started the republic read the first 100 pages and gave up.

[@jackjhmc820]

Try audiobook.

[@abraham5781]

I don't know why, but reading Moby Dick was much harder than Plato's republic.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm completely with you on that. I would place Moby Dick above Plato's Republic in difficulty as well!

[@jimsteele3423]

Can’t wait to read this book

[@SuperPussyFinger]

I don’t know who you are, but I know genius when I see it.