Abstract

This dissertation develops the thesis that the Republic offers Plato's defense of his own philosophical practice, grounding the initial hypothesis on the clear stylistic differences between Book I and the remainder of the dialogue and Plato's description of knowledge and language in his Seventh Letter. That description, versions of which appear in various dialogues, implies that contemplating reality creates an ethical dilemma for the Socratic philosopher, for while his awareness of the inadequacy of language precludes describing his inner vision in a positive way, it also compels him to aid his companions whose trust in the false images of language is harming their souls. The philosopher resolves this dilemma by questioning their opinions, hoping in that way to make them aware of the inherent deception of their language-constructed world. ;Although in his Seventh Letter and the Phaedrus Plato suggests that the philosopher will not write seriously, the Phaedrus imagery of writing as an entertaining substitute for attending banquets directs us to the Symposium as a model. In this dialogue we see that the philosopher's story at such a "banquet of words" serves to remind his hearers and himself of the "beloved" for which their souls yearn. ;In light of the importance of Plato's image of the banquet or the feast, his hint in the introduction to the Timaeus that this dialogue extends a banquet of words which begins with the Republic is significant. By focusing on the response aspect of the Timaeus, a different perspective of Plato's intent for the Republic is revealed. Using this perspective, the dissertation then offers a close reading of Republic, Books I and II and selected sections of later books which show Socrates using a picture version of his dialectical method to help two young men become aware that their image of themselves as guardians of their city is false. ;Finally, the dissertation shows how Plato uses his rhetorical images dialectically to accomplish his philosophical purpose