The Republic

Structure and Organization

Plato's «The Republic» consists of ten books (or parts), each dedicated to different aspects of philosophy, politics, ethics, and state theory. The first book discusses definitions of justice and injustice. The second and third books examine the foundations of education and upbringing of the state's guardians. The fourth book is devoted to the analysis of virtues and the structure of the ideal state. The fifth book discusses issues of gender equality and the community of women and children. The sixth and seventh books include the famous allegory of the cave and a discussion on the nature of philosopher-rulers. The eighth book analyzes various forms of government and their degradation. The ninth book compares the just and unjust person. The tenth book concludes the dialogue with a discussion on art and the immortality of the soul.