The document discusses how the ancient Greeks addressed questions about how to live and the purpose of life. It introduces how the Greeks developed new forms of life like democracy, drama, and the Academy, as well as new forms of communication such as rhetoric, poetry, and philosophy. For Plato, living justly was the ultimate purpose and gave life meaning. Plato believed justice resulted from the harmonious union of the true, good, and beautiful. The document asks why Plato preferred philosophical discourse over rhetoric or poetry for bringing about justice.

1. How ought we to live?

2. How ought we to live? A theoretical question: What is the purpose of life? What does it all mean?

3. How ought we to live? A theoretical question: What is the purpose of life? What does it all mean? Also a practical question: What institutions do we need, and how should they operate? What forms of thought, action, and communication should we adopt? What should we be doing on a day-to-day basis — as individuals and socially?

4. The Greek Reinvention: New Forms of Life Democracy

5. The Greek Reinvention: New Forms of Life Democracy Drama

6. The Greek Reinvention: New Forms of Life Democracy Drama The Academy

7. The Greek Reinvention: New Forms of Communication Democracy Drama Rhetoric: the language of action The Academy

8. Democracy Drama The Academy Rhetoric: the language of action Poetry: the language of emotion The Greek Reinvention: New Forms of Communication

9. Democracy Drama The Academy Rhetoric: the language of action Poetry: the language of emotion Philosophy: the language of reason The Greek Reinvention: New Forms of Communication

10. Democracy Drama The Academy Rhetoric: the language of action Poetry: the language of emotion Philosophy: the language of reason the GOOD the BEAUTIFUL the TRUE The Greek Reinvention: New Forms of Communication

11. How ought we to live? For Plato, the answer to the question “How ought we to live?” is “Justly.” Justice ought to be the ultimate purpose of all of our endeavors; it is justice that gives meaning to life.

12. How ought we to live? For Plato, the answer to the question “How ought we to live?” is “Justly.” Justice ought to be the ultimate purpose of all of our endeavors; it is justice that gives meaning to life. What is justice? The harmonious (hence beautiful ) union of the true and the good .

13. How ought we to live? Socrates

14. How ought we to live? Why, then, does Plato prefer philosophical discourse to rhetoric (and also to poetry)? What, in Plato’s view, makes the discourse of philosophy more likely to bring about justice? What makes rhetorical discourse less likely to bring about justice?

15. How ought we to live? Why, then, does Plato prefer philosophical discourse to rhetoric (and also to poetry)? What, in Plato’s view, makes the discourse of philosophy more likely to bring about justice? What makes rhetorical discourse less likely to bring about justice? Why do you suppose that Plato chooses to compose in this specific genre, i.e., the dialogue?