Platos Republic Essay -- essays research papers

Platos democracyCritics of The commonwealth, Platos contribution to the history of policy-making theory, have formed two decided opinions on the reasoning behind thework. The first group believes that The Republic is really a model for apolitical guild, while the other strongly objects to that, stating it asbeing far too fantastic for any society to operate successfully by thesesuggested methods. In an exchange between Crito and Dionysius, this financial state manpowert isfirst introduced, with Crito siding with those who agree that The Republic is arealistic political model, and Dionysius arguing on behalf of those who doubt itas being realistic, claiming it to be a criticism of politics in general.Both sides have legitimate arguments, and thither is evidence within thetext to support each opinion. When Plato wrote Gorgias, he do it clear whereexactly he stood on his personal involvement in politics (Cornford 1941, xix). Unlimited power without the knowledge of good and evil is at the best unenviable,and the tyrant who uses it to exterminate his enemies and rivals is the mostmiserable of men--a theme to be further developed in The Republic (Cornford xx).But here, Plato was referring to the politics of his time, and critics whosided with Crito believed that The Republic was Platos way of introducing apolitical system in which he would notice comfortable supporting (Plato 204).Conversely though, The Republic itself is summed up this wayWell, ace would be enough to effect all this reform that now seems soincredible, if he had subjects disposed to obey for it is surelynot insurmountable that they should approve to carry out our laws andcustoms when laid down by a ruler. It would be no miracle if othersshould think as we do and we have, I believe, sufficiently shown that ourplan, if practicable, is the best. So, to conclude our institutionswould be the best, if they could be realized, and to realize them, though hard,is not unattainable (Plato 210-211) .These institutions of which Plato speaks atomic number 18 described in the body ofThe Republic, and not only does Plato ex... ... his work, which favors the opposition. But, hisideas themselves be in no way impossible to accomplish. Plato had this to sayto sum up all his beliefs, there pull up stakes n incessantly be a unadulterated state or constitution,nor yet a perfect man, until some gifted circumstance compels these fewphilosophers who have escaped corruption but are now called useless, to takecharge, whether they like it or not, of a state which will submit to theirauthority or else until kings and rulers or their sons are divinely exaltwith a genuine passion for true philosophy. If either alternative or bothwere impossible, we might justly be laughed at as trifling dreamers but, as Imaintain, there is no ground for saying so. Accordingly, if ever in theinfinity of time, past or future, or even straightaway in some foreign region farbeyond our horizon, men of the hi ghest gifts for philosophy are constrained totake charge of a commonwealth, we are ready to maintain that, then and there,the constitution we have described has been realized, or will be realizedwhen once the philosophic muse becomes whore of a state. For that mighthappen. Our plan is difficult--we have admitted as much--but notimpossible (Plato 208).