Glossary of Key Terms from The Republic by Plato

Aporia Aporia is the Greek term for a state of confusion or helplessness—when a person realizes they do not have a clear answer to a philosophical question. In The Republic , Socrates often leads his interlocutors to this state by questioning their beliefs. For instance, in Book 1, Socrates demonstrates that the interlocutors cannot define justice satisfactorily. While Socrates leaves them in a state of aporia, he later provides a detailed answer to the concept of justice over the next nine books. Appetite Appetite is the part of our soul that desires physical pleasures, like food, drink, and sex. Plato divides these desires into three categories: Necessary desires – desires needed for survival (e.g., hunger). Unnecessary desires – desires that go beyond basic needs (e.g., excessive eating or luxury foods). Unlawful desires – desires that go against moral principles (e.g., violent urges). For example, the desire to eat is necessary, but wanting to eat excessively is unnecessary. In a jus…