Summary of Platos The Republic Book IV - Coursework Example

Summary of Plato’s The Republic Book IV In book IV, Plato tries to defend the strength of thecity by assuming the city is content with its performance. Therefore, I will prove Plato right by showing that the states happiness represents the happiness of the individuals. At the beginning, Plato suggests the individual happiness depends upon the steady functioning of the society. He establishes a tight bond between the stability of the society and the individual happiness. The challenge is to connect the good of the society and the good of each member.

Plato defines justice as the citizens fulfillment of their proper natural function. This means that if the state is happy with its status, then every individual has justice, as each "do his part" (Plato, 441d) in the success of the state. This happiness by the state only translates to the happiness of the individual self. Therefore, justice in the society represents justice by each individual. Thus, Plato creates an analogy that the just person and the just City are defined by the role both parties play in performing their specific function.

An equal balance among the rational, appetitive, and spirit parts that make the human soul leads to the just man, just as the guardians tenure in the city leads to moderation. The rational and appetitive parts "fights in a civil war" (Plato, 439b). Therefore, a just man is a just ruler, who rules in a just city. If the city is content with the guardians as the rulers, then it is a just city. Justice links just people to just cities. Therefore, the happiness of the entire state represents happiness of each individual.

In conclusion, the paper clearly proves that the happiness of an entire society is the microcosm of the citizens happiness, which is only possible through the tight bond between the societys stability and the happiness of the just individuals. Works cited Plato. “The Republic”. New York. Sheba Blake Publishing. 2014