4.5: Temperance in the City

See 430d-432a. The word sophrosune is translated by different people as “temperance,” “discipline,” “self-discipline,” “self-control,” “self-mastery,” “self- restraint,” “soberness,” and “moderation.” The way Socrates defines it, temperance is something beautiful, a harmony between the parts of the city resulting from agreement that those best suited to rule will rule. In a temperate city, the desires of the non-rulers are controlled by the desires of the rulers so that “all sing the same song in unison.” Unlike courage and wisdom, which are virtues of parts of the city, temperance is a systemic virtue, an excellence of the whole, involving the rulers, the auxiliaries, and the workers.

• Socrates calls the rulers “better” and the workers “worse.” What does he mean by this? Plainly the city managers will be better than the cobblers at city management, but then the cobblers will be better than the city managers at shoemaking, and the child care workers will be better at caring for the children, and so on. Is it that one job is more important than the other jobs, or does Socrates have something else in mind?

• Have you ever been part of an organization such as a work crew, a committee, a sports team, or a musical ensemble that seemed to you especially well led? What did it feel like to be part of the group? Did you resent being subordinate to the leader? If not, why not?

• How in this city will the rulers win the trust and allegiance of the workers? The auxiliaries will share the same extraordinary upbringing with the rulers, but what about the other people in the city? How will they come to appreciate that their desires should be guided by the rulers’ desires? Upon what will their trust be based?

• Will the workers be able to tell when their rulers are doing a good job? How might the rulers’ wisdom become apparent?

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