The Republic $ Timaeus

The Republic and Timaeus had some very interesting ideas to convey. From how the body is formed, to how it interacts with the soul, to running a city, and living in an intellectual stimulation environment, and letting philosophy guide you.

First of all, in the Timaeus, and somewhat in the Republic the concept of the body and soul working in concert is shown. Plato, when talking to Glaucon, talks about how the soul fulfills duties that the body cannot, and because of the soul intellectual conversation and thought is able to happen. The body works physically, but anything beyond that is the soul’s job. This ties into the concept that everything is from heaven, or rather from the craftsman mentioned. Plato suggests that you cannot talk about a human without talking about both body and soul.

I believe this is very accurate. In my life I can see where my soul, and connection with Jesus, completes me as a human. In this piece the question of what does it mean to be human, is answered by Plato bringing in the soul. He also talks about how everything is based off of a perfect model, that everything is trying to reach. Paul in one of his letters explains how he is constantly reaching perfection, but always falling short. If we take Plato’s concepts, and instead of a craftsman put in God, and Jesus, they start to make sense.

In the Republic, Plato also mentions the cave analogy, and how a leader of a city must be the man standing outside of the cave, wondering what is going on and realizing it’s all an illusion. This is an interesting concept, yet makes a lot of sense. Plato is driving home the point that the leader of anything must be able to look farther ahead, and have the foresight to see what is coming. If this leader is someone in the cave gainst the wall for example, they cannot do that and therefore cannot be an effective leader. This is understandable in almost any walk of our modern life. From business leaders, to country heads, they are always looking forward, to see what is coming. Apple does this with their new technology. They look ahead, change the game, and come out with a “new and improved” technology designed to keep moving. They work to make sure they are the person outside the cave so to speak. It’s exactly what Plato is trying to explain.

Plato also explains how a leader must study Philosophy. Now if you take his theory that philosophy is key to understand what being a human is, that makes sense. To Plato Philosophy was how you “interacted” per say, to the craftsman he mentioned. It became key to attempting to reach the perfection he mentions. Now if we change Philosophy to theology, and the craftsman to God, this applies perfectly to us right now. We use theology to better understand God, and to grow closer to him, and, as Paul said, reach perfection in Jesus.

Plato may be discussing Philosophy, a craftsman, and how to best lead, but his concepts can be applied to our lives, he is still very relevant. Enjoyed reflecting on this.