Adeimantus of Collytus
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Adeimantus of Collytus, son of Ariston of Athens, was the name of Plato's eldest brother. Adeimantus plays an important part in The Republic and is briefly mentioned in The Apology and the Parmenides. In The Republic, Adeimantus is noted for his concern for education, which is apparent from the moment he gets involved in the philosophic discussion (beginning at 362d in Book II).
Adeimantus is also concerned with the happiness of the guardians in the ideal city (see, e.g., 419a in Book IV). He questions whether or not they would be living a good life with little or no personal property. Consequently, Adeimantus is often associated with greed or love for money in interpretations of the dialogue. On the whole, Adeimantus comes across as more cautious, more sober-minded, and less creative than his brother Glaucon, Socrates' other major interlocutor in the last nine books of The Republic.