Philosopher-Kings: The Argument of Plato's Republic C. D. C. Reeve
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The multitude is too easily Many theorists have argued that democracy requires an informed citizenry that can engage in reasoned public debate about policy issues. Cephalus and Socrates are talking. For this reason it is necessary to understand the philosophical anthropology underlying Plato's political philosophy as well as the anthropological principle, i.e., that the city is man writ large. Socrates: I love conversing with aged men; they are travellers on the same path I will take. The Principle of Specialisation (PS): The Principle of .. Cephalus: We are old friends, and you will be quite at home here. Greg Recco's main thesis in Athens Victorious is that "Plato's Republic deliberately demonstrates the superiority of the democratic constitution" (1). Translated into the modern context, Plato's view is that the only just system of government is one that is run by one or several experts in economics and public policy. In the Republic, Plato argues that genuine philosophers should be guardians and rulers because, like artists, they look to a model of the beautiful, the just and the Good when setting out to establish and preserve the laws in an ideal city-state. A just system of government must have a philosopher king, who understands the essences of things. Harman's article “The Unhappy Philosopher: Plato's Republic as Tragedy” highlights the philosopher's obligations to two worlds, the perceived world (as in the Cave) and the real world (outside of the Cave) to interpret it in a tragic sense. Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, cities will never be free from evil. From amongst this elite group, one would be chosen to act as principle ruler – the philosopher-king. Additionally, and perhaps of equal Plato argues that a certain group should rule in the city and the reasoning part should rule in the soul; the virtue that pertains specifically to this function of ruling is wisdom, or knowledge of the Good (Agathon).