Creating a Society of Selective Procreation

This episode covers book 5 of Plato’s Republic.

What do you do when the private family causes too much corruption? Nationalize it! Create a giant family monopoly that includes every citizen in one giant clan. In this episode, Socrates explains his most normal proposal—that women should have jobs—and his most shocking, which involves a state eugenics program disguised as a religious festival. 

This chapter makes some people think Plato’s a feminist and other’s say he’s a fascist. Either way, it shows us that values like family loyalty, political unity, gender equality, and meritocracy do not always fit well together. 

 Credits: 

Adeimantus: Rebecca Amzallag

Glaucon: Zachary Amzallag

Polemarchus: Elliott Chambers

Thrasymachus: Paul Sagar

Ancient music: Michael Levy

Intro theme: Clayton Tapp

Outro: David Zikovitz

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