Background.  Socrates' theoretical city is sometimes called Kallipolis, from the Greek kalos
(fine, beautiful) and polis (city).  It's called that once or twice in the Republic, and it's a handy name.  The four virtues (427e) were widely recognized in ancient Greece, and they are now
known as the four cardinal virtues.  The word translated as "moderation" was in earlier times translated as "temperance."  As you see in 430-31, it basically means self-control or self-discipline.

Reading Questions.

1)  419-21: The painted statue is offered as an analogy; thus aspects of the statue correlate to or represent aspects of Kallipolis.  Identify what these statue-things represent: the statue as a whole; the parts (such as eyes) of the statue; the beauty of the statue; the painters of the statue.

2)  Why is a rich city not (really) a city?

3)  What do these passages suggest about attitudes toward women?  387e; 395de; 423e; 431bd

4)  What can you infer (or guesstimate) about the economic system of Kallipolis?  Do you think it would best be called socialistic, free enterprise, Marxist, capitalistic, or what?  Why?

5)  What seems to be the role of religion in Kallipolis?  Why?

6)  Where (i.e. among what people in Kallipolis) is each of the four virtues found?

7)  429de: the purple dye analogy.  What does each of these represent: variously colored natural wool; white wool; preparation of the white wool; the purple dye; dyed wool that loses its color.

8)  Since (430b) guardian-courage is correct belief about what is and isn't to be feared, what
should guardians fear?

9)  What is the difference, if any, between knowing and correctly believing something?  In the courage discussion, Socrates speaks only of belief, not knowledge (429-430c).

10)  433a-434c.  Their old agreement (370b, 374a) turns out to be what they've been looking for all along - it is justice!  But here Socrates changes it a wee bit.  What is the change?

DWA Question.  In Bk 1 (352d-353e) Socrates explained in general terms what virtue is, and
said a few things about justice and the individual soul.  At this point in Bk 4 he has found justice
not for the individual soul, but for Kallipolis.  So explain whether or to what extent Kallipolis, as described thus far in Books 2-4, is a virtuous city; how well does it accord with Socrates' general account of virtue in 352d-353e?  To do this you'll need to say something about the function(s) of a city or society (not a soul), and what it takes for a city to fulfil its function(s) well instead of poorly.  You should give some thought to how the descriptions of various aspects of life in Kallipolis in Bks 2-4 might relate to a city's functioning.  As always, feel free to discuss the question with others.