Ideas from 'The Laws' by Plato [349 BCE], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Complete Works' by Plato (ed/tr Cooper,John M.) [Hackett 1997,0-87220-349-2]].

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1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / e. Philosophy as reason

15447

We shouldn't always follow where the argument leads! [Lewis]

2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 1. On Reason

243	It is foolish to quarrel with the mind's own reasoning processes

2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 4. Aims of Reason

241	We ought to follow where the argument leads us

2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 9. Limits of Reason

21264

Mortals are incapable of being fully rational

3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 3. Value of Truth

251	Truth has the supreme value, for both gods and men

9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 4. Essence as Definition

21259

To grasp a thing we need its name, its definition, and what it really is

15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 2. Psuche

21260

Soul is what is defined by 'self-generating motion'

16. Persons / B. Nature of the Self / 3. Self as Non-physical

276	My individuality is my soul, which carries my body around

21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 4. Beauty

249	People who value beauty above virtue insult the soul by placing the body above it

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / g. Consequentialism

265	An action is only just if it is performed by someone with a just character and outlook

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / i. Moral luck

269	Attempted murder is like real murder, but we should respect the luck which avoided total ruin

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / c. Value of pleasure

240	It would be strange if the gods rewarded those who experienced the most pleasure in life

22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / f. Dangers of pleasure

264	The conquest of pleasure is the noblest victory of all

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue

263	The only worthwhile life is one devoted to physical and moral perfection

4332	Virtue is a concord of reason and emotion, with pleasure and pain trained to correct ends

248	A serious desire for moral excellence is very rare indeed

253	Every crime is the result of excessive self-love

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / d. Teaching virtue

235	Virtue is the aim of all laws

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / j. Unity of virtue

277	The Guardians must aim to discover the common element in the four cardinal virtues

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / b. Temperance

254	Excessive laughter and tears must be avoided

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / c. Justice

266	Injustice is the mastery of the soul by bad feelings, even if they do not lead to harm

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / c. Wealth

242	The best people are produced where there is no excess of wealth or poverty

256	Virtue and great wealth are incompatible

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism

245	Totalitarian states destroy friendships and community spirit

24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 7. Communitarianism / a. Communitarianism

239	Education in virtue produces citizens who are active but obedient

25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality

262	Men and women should qualify equally for honours on merit

1402	Friendship is impossible between master and slave, even if they are made equal

25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 1. Basis of Rights

236	Sound laws achieve the happiness of those who observe them

25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 1. Basis of justice

259	Justice is granting the equality which unequals deserve

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 5. Education / b. Education principles

260	Control of education is the key office of state, and should go to the best citizen

238	Children's games should channel their pleasures into adult activity

257	Mathematics has the widest application of any subject on the curriculum

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 5. Education / c. Teaching

250	The best way to educate the young is not to rebuke them, but to set a good example

4331	Education is channelling a child's feelings into the right course before it understands why

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / a. Final purpose

275	Creation is not for you; you exist for the sake of creation

27. Natural Reality / E. Cosmology / 3. The Beginning

273	Movement is transmitted through everything, and it must have started with self-generated motion

28. God / A. Divine Nature / 6. Divine Morality / d. God decrees morality

8004	In 'The Laws', to obey the law is to be obey god [MacIntyre]

28. God / B. Proving God / 3. Proofs of Evidence / a. Cosmological Proof

21261

Self-moving soul has to be the oldest thing there is

21257

Self-generating motion is clearly superior to all other kinds of motion

21258

The only possible beginning for the endless motions of reality is something self-generated

28. God / B. Proving God / 3. Proofs of Evidence / b. Teleological Proof

274	Soul must be the cause of all the opposites, such as good and evil or beauty and ugliness

21263

If all the motions of nature reflect calculations of reason, then the best kind of soul must direct it

28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 5. Atheism

278	If astronomical movements are seen as necessary instead of by divine will, this leads to atheism

29. Religion / A. Polytheistic Religion / 1. Animism

21265

The heavens must be full of gods, controlling nature either externally or from within

29. Religion / A. Polytheistic Religion / 4. Dualist Religion

21262

There must be at least two souls controlling the cosmos, one doing good, the other the opposite