Q28: Compare the ascent passage in Symposium with the ascent out of the cave in Republic 7

28.  Compare the ascent passage in Symposium with the ascent out of the cave in Republic 7.

[Based on Chris Tweedt 2011]

Divided Line	Cave	Symposium	Common
Understanding	Sun??	Beauty itself	Principle of all things that are seen/beautiful Ultimate goal
Thought	Things??	Laws	Principles of lower things (more universal) Causes originals to be seen/beautiful
Belief	Puppets	Souls	Originals Particulars (not participated in by many)
Imagination	Shadows	Bodies	Reflections/images of higher category The folk’s focus

Some general comparisions:

1. Epistemic ascent

2. The last stage is the goal of life and desire in general

The good is that which is desired. Symposium: life is worth living b/c of vision of Beauty.

3. Both require an analogy or authoritative story (Diotima)

Without this, they would have the experience, but that is hard. (Socrates says he doesn’t have it in Republic.)

Laypeople don’t attain the goal (Republic: so we educate; Symposium: Others’ speeches, esp. Alcibiades)