This, in turn, leads him into rather complex discussions of metaphysics and epistemology. First, he needs to address a collection of practical considerations (e.g., he needs to show that philosophers are not vicious or useless, but are or could be the best rulers, which means that he must address to some extent what it means to “rule” and what skills are necessary to do so properly) and he also needs to address what philosophers actually do. Now, to prove this claim, Socrates needs to address two main issues. His position is that the city is possible if and only if philosophers rule or rulers become philosophers. Let me begin with a brief note: At this stage of the Republic, Socrates’ main goal is to show that his ideal city is actually possible.
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