Name______Period_____
Topics in Plato’s Republic
In 390BC, Plato wrote The Republic. Plato discussed forms of government and the idea of justice. In his book Plato’s characters would discuss moral problems or issues that affect society. Characters in the book would ask a series of questions about an issue. Others would make arguments for or against the original question (Socratic Method). Plato’s former teacher Socrates was generally a character in many of Plato’s works.
One question The Republic sets out to define is "what is justice?" Given the difficulty of answering a question like this, Socrates and his fellow philosophers are led into a discussion of justice in the city. Socrates suggests his fellow philosophers go out into the city and observe how justice works. Socrates felt this may help them see justice on a bigger (and therefore easier to discuss) scale. Several versions of justice were observed and the group concluded that all observed forms of justice seemed to be inadequate. One philosopher states that justice is nothing but the power of the stronger over the weaker. Another philospher believes that the law of a city, or justice, is nothing but the will of the ruler (what the ruler wants). Socrates states that people are naturally corrupt so they can be easily manipulated. The philosophers question if you can have true justice when being ruled by one single man.
Later in the book, Plato writes that it is the tendency of humans to be corrupted by power. Therefore governments such as a monrachy, oligarchy, aristocracy or democracy are wrong since those governments are controlled by the will of people and that most people are corrupt and will rule only to help their own interests. Plato & Socrates conclude that ruling should be left to a class of philosopher-kings. Plato & Socrates felt that since the philosophers were the wisest and most just (fair) that they would be less susceptible (at risk) to corruption. Plato & Socrates say the "good city" is governed by these philosopher-kings, since they are disinterested persons who rule not for their personal enjoyment but for the good of the entire city-state.
In the book, Plato's also criticizes many forms of government. He begins with the dismissal of the monrachy, which he calls a totalitarian regime, not unlike a military dictatorship. Plato offers a psychological explanation of why the monarch rules the way he does. Plato says the monarch is one who saw his father humiliated by his mother and wants to vindicate "manliness" by being a harsh ruler. The next worst regime is oligarchy, the rule of a small band of rich people. Plato says millionaires only respect money and therefore aren’t willing to help all people. Next is democracy, which Plato says is susceptible to being ruled by unfit people. If all people have a say they will only vote for what suits them best. Finally the worst regime is tyranny or dictatorship (totalitarian), where the whimsical desires of the ruler become actual laws and there is no check upon that person.
Many people in Athens criticized Plato & Socrates. Many did not agree with the idea of Philosopher-Kings. Some scholars would ask, weren’t these philosopher-kings humans and therefore also susceptible to corruption?
Discussion Questions
- What does Socrates/Plato have to say about justice in a society that is ruled by one person?
- Who does Plato/Socrates feel should be the rulers and what is their reason for this?
- What does Plato say about Monarchs? Why does he feel they are bad rulers?
- What does Plato say about democratic rule?
- Do you think that Plato & Socrates are right about other types of government? Do they contradict themselves at all? Give reasons why or why not.