Premium
Interpreting Plato’s Republic : Knowledge and Belief
Author(s) -
Lee David C.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
philosophy compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.973
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 1747-9991
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2010.00329.x
Subject(s) - epistemology , argument (complex analysis) , ideal (ethics) , philosophy , set (abstract data type) , strengths and weaknesses , state (computer science) , computer science , biochemistry , chemistry , algorithm , programming language
A distinction between knowledge and belief is set out and justified at the end of Book V of Plato’s Republic . The justification is intended to establish the claim of the philosophers to rule in an ideal state. I set out the argument and explain why considerable disagreement remains about the nature of the distinction and the assumptions on which it rests. I discuss the main options for interpreting the justification, briefly assessing their strengths and weaknesses. I conclude with comments on recent developments, and by drawing attention to a neglected aspect of Plato’s distinction.