Political Philosophy of Plato

Born: May 29, 428/427 BCE in Athens Died: 348/ 347 BCE
Main Interest: Rhetoric, Art, Literature, Epistemology, Justice, Virtue, Politics,
Education, Family and Militarism.
 Considered as essential figure in development of Philosophy especially in
Western world.
 Student of SOCRATES Teacher of Aristotle
 Have been used to teach a range of subject including Philosophy, Logic,
Ethics, Rhetoric, Religion and Mathematics

DIALOGUES
13 LETTERS (ASCRIBED BY PLATO) Plato’s main works of relevance to political
philosophy are: THE REPUBLIC- a description of the workings of what Plato saw as
an ideal state; and THE LAWS which is often read, but which is mainly an
examination of how a state could realistically be organized.

The CITY-STATE

The Republic concerns with the definition of justice, the order and character
of the just city state and the just man. DEFINITION OF JUSTICE Plato identifies
Political Justice as harmony in structured political body (BOOK II, III, IV)
PRODUCERS (craftsmen, farmers, artisans, etc) AUXILIARIES (warriors)
GUARDIANS (rulers)
Plato tries to show that individual justice mirrors political justice. THREE
PART STRUCTURE ANALOGOUS TO THE THREE CLASSES OF SOCIETY PRODUCERS
(craftsmen, farmers, artisans, etc) AUXILIARIES (warriors) GUARDIANS (rulers)
Rational Part of the Soul Spirited Part of the Soul Appetite Part of the Soul.

Plato gives careful directions for choosing rulers and for making sure that,
once chosen, they would not work for their own advantage. All children, male and
female will be raised communally by the state until they were 18 . They would be
subject to three types of test. They would be in part physical, in part intellectual
and in part moral.

Those who will pass these tests would be carefully isolated for further
learning. The second part of the schooling which is the practical. They will be
appointed to administrative post of lesser order and constantly observe the
performance in their duties. The rulers would take part in active administration of
the society.

Plato’s Republic
Plato’s ideal state in the Republic
The fundamental locus of Greek politics was the polis (city-state) In the polis
“civic space” lay at the center of the community. All citizens were expected to
engage in politics Greek Politics.

What is a State?
States come about because individuals have needs they cannot satisfy alone
Individuals with different talents have complementary needs.
What sets Guardians apart?
Guardians are trained to value state interests above personal interests.
Communal lifestyle. They are to receive no salaries and share everything with each
other.
Who should rule? Philosopher-King
 Has a grasp of the true and enduring
 Would not fear death, would be fair-minded, gentle and sociable
 Would necessarily be brave, temperate and thereby just
 Would work to preserve the status quo

Other (sort of) Interesting Things Plato Discusses Composition of the soul:
wisdom, courage, temperance and justice. The concept of the “just state” and of
justice in general the equality of men and women.

Analysis
Plato’s ideas in the Republic are clearly undemocratic on the whole. He highlights
democracy’s weakness as a populist machine. His ideas are rooted in his view of
man as possessing specific talents.
More Analysis
Plato emphasizes unity as the supreme value of the state concept of organic unity.
He recognizes that the state exists to ensure the happiness of everyone, not just a
particular class.
Even More Analysis
In Plato’s view, the basis of political rule is knowledge. In this regard, the “best”
should rule. He also points out that for rulers to be effective; they must put the
public interest before private concerns.

“Plato’s Philosophy leads, by natural steps, to an antidemocratic and to

Authoritarian Philosophy. It is a government for the people but not by the people.”