Question

What does Socrates say about the "possibility" of the city in speech ever coming into existence?

A) Socrates believes it's highly likely.
B) Socrates is pessimistic about its possibility.
C) Socrates is unsure about its possibility.
D) Socrates thinks it's entirely impossible.

Answer 1

Socrates is pessimistic about the possibility of the ideal 'city in speech' ever coming into existence, due to the practical limitations and human imperfections.

Step-by-step explanation:

Socrates is renowned for his contributions to philosophy, primarily through the accounts of his student, Plato. Regarding the question of the possibility of the 'city in speech'—an ideal city discussed in Plato's Republic—ever coming into existence, Socrates expresses doubt. He is pessimistic about its possibility, understanding the challenges in achieving such an ideal state. The city in speech is a theoretical construct used to explore the meaning of justice and the just individual, and Socrates is aware of the practical limitations and human imperfections that make the actualization of such a city unlikely. This skepticism is reflective of Socrates's broader philosophical approach, which often involves questioning assumed knowledge and embracing a level of uncertainty.