The Psychology of Money in Plato's <i>Republic</i>

Abstract Plato is often characterized as being generally disdainful of money and as believing that pursuit and possession of money is morally corrupting. This article offers a modification of this view: Plato does not think that money is dangerous in general, but that it is dangerous for individuals with great natures in particular. The vast majority of people, whom Plato would classify as producers in his ideal city, are psychologically insusceptible to the dangerous influence of money. Understanding this aspect of his moral psychology encourages more careful consideration of the role of money and, much more generally, economic activities in Kallipolis. This article (1) offers an argument regarding Plato's moral psychology and (2) explores the function of money in his ideal constitution.