This section dealt with the leader of the perfect city, and tried to define good. It was easy to follow at first, but we spend most of the second half in a metaphor.

Don't forget, next week we will be going over both Books 7 & 8!

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Summary

Socrates argues that philosophers are the ones who are most fit to rule the city since they love truth more than anything, and the rational part of their souls rules. Adeimantus disagrees, saying he has never met a philosopher like what is being described. They are either useless or vicious.

Socrates somewhat agrees with this definition of modern philosophers, but that they have not been taught in the right way. Men with the natural gifts needed to be a good philosopher are pushed towards politics, leaving a shortage of good philosophers.

He uses the metaphor of a ship with a blind and deaf captain. The crew uses force or tricks to gain control, but the only one who knows how to steer a ship is the weak captain. Similarly, leaders seize control without any knowledge of how to lead.

For the city to exist, there must be one philosopher king with the right grasp on the three forms to rule. As stated in book 3, the ruler would be chosen from among the guardians since they are the most rigorously tested.

He then tries to define good, but falls short, saying only “what is the offspring of the good and most like it.” The answer being the sun.

He carries on the metaphor, the sun being to the visible realm what good is to the intelligible realm. It is the source of light, making the visible realm visible, just as good is the source of intelligibility. It also regulates and creates (seasons, plants, livestock), just as good is responsible for the existence of Forms.

Good is therefore the Form of knowledge.

He goes on, saying imagination is the lowest form of thinking, but belief is a bit more sensible since things are partially real when you believe them.

He also defines thought and understanding. Thought relies on unproven assumptions, while understanding is worked up to and doesn’t need the crutch of assuming.