In Bloom's second edition of "The Republic of Plato," there are many troubling issues. The one that strikes me the most, however, is the idea of the "noble lie." I find this completely disturbing for a number of reasons. It is immoral and wrong to deliberately deceive someone. This idea also completely contradicts Socrates' argument that it is beneficial to be just.In the discussion between Socrates and Glaucon that involved how to create an ideal city, they divided the people into three classes: rulers, auxiliaries, and craftsmen. In this city each class has a certain role. The rulers are the highest of rank in the city. They are older, wise men who govern the state and make decisions in the best interest of the city. The auxiliaries are to assist the rulers in executing and enforcing their laws and decisions. The final class, the craftsmen, are needed to carry on all necessary lines of work. They take no part in governing or protecting the city. The craftsmen are the doctors, farmers, blacksmiths, bricklayers, etc. To keep the three classes from fighting and meddling in each other's business and destroying the harmony and unity of the state, Socrates came up with the idea of the noble lie. Socrates suggests that the noble lie be spread slowly, first to the rulers, then to the auxiliaries, and then to the rest of the public. The noble lie is comprised of two parts. The first part of the message is that everyone's youth, education, and training was just a dream. In reality, they were created in the Earth itself; the Earth is their mother. When they were complete, the Earth sent them up to the surface. Socrates believes this idea will give a reason to say that the land they defend is in fact, their mother and that all fellow citizens are their brothers.The second part of the lie is called the myth of the metals. The citizens are not only told that God created them in the Earth, but he made them all different. Each class is m...
