Lecture 1 – PLATO

PLATO

”Plato is philosophy…..philosophy is Plato”. Emerson

Introduction: One of the most creative influential thinkers of Political philosophy who belonged to the
idealist school of thought.

Born: 428 - 348 BC, a Greek philosopher.

He was born in an aristocratic family of Democratic Athens, Athens was engaged in a deadly war against
“Sparta” - The Peloponnesian war that lasted 28 years and finally Athens fell.

Brief background: As a young man, Plato had political ambitions, but he became a disciple of Socrates,
accepting his basic philosophy and dialectical style of debate: the pursuit of truth through discussions and
dialogues. After Socrates' execution in 399 BC, Plato, fearing for his own safety, travelled to Italy, Sicily
and Egypt. In 388 BC, Plato, after his return to Athens, founded the Academy, the institution often
described as the first European University. It provided a comprehensive curriculum, including such
subjects as astronomy, biology, political theory, philosophy and mathematics.

Works of plato
Plato's writings were in dialogue form, and the hero in all writings except in the Laws was none but his
teacher, Socrates. Plato's works includes 35 dialogues and 13 letters

Book What does the book deal with?

The Republic:  Greatest of all the books as it is a treatise that engulfs every aspect of
Concerning Justice human life.
 It, in fact, deals with metaphysics. (the idea of the Good), moral
philosophy (virtue of human soul), education (the scientific training the
rulers ought to have), politics (the Ideal State),the philosophy of history,
economy (communism of property and families) - all combined in one.
The Republic has in total ten books that deal with varied subjects.
 It was compiled by young Plato and hence this book mainly deals with
utopian ideas. Plato of Republic is what is known to the world, the
idealist, the philosopher, the radical”

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The Laws

 It deals with the ethics of government.

 It deals with varied topics including the role of intelligence in law
making, relation between philosophy, religion and politics.
 It was compiled by mature Plato and hence its subject matter is less
radical and idealistic compared to that of the Republic.

The Statesman

 In Statesman Plato admits that although there is a correct science of

government, like geometry it cannot be realised and hence he stresses
the need for rule of law, since no ruler can be trusted with unbridled
power.
 It is crucial in understanding the development of plato’s political
thinking.

METHODOLOGIES USED BY PLATO:

 Deductive method (general principles are determined first and thereafter, are related to
particular situation.)
 Dialectic method (use of dialogue)
 Teleological method In Theory of forms (what appears is the shadow of what it can be)
 Analogy method (use of examples)
 Historical method (traced the evaluation and growth of numerous types of state historically).
Influence of Socrates:

“IN PLATO, SOCRATES LIVED AGAIN” - PROF. MAXEY.

Plato had been influenced by the following scholars and their ideas
 Socrates: Theory of knowledge and dialectics, Plato’s
statement - "I thank God that I was born a Greek, and not
Barbarian; a freeman and not a slave, a man and not a
woman; but above all, that I was born in the age of
Socrates." Fundamental idea of “The Republic”came to Plato
based on principle that “virtue is knowledge” given by
Socrates.

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o Sabine writes for Plato, "that virtue is knowledge implies that there is an objective good
to be known and that it can in fact be known by rational or logical investigation.”
o Plato urged that the ruler should be one who knows the art, science and knowledge of
administration. Socrates used to say: "The public is ill, we must cure our masters."

 Pythagoras: Knowledge of geometry is precondition for the knowledge of philosophy.Theory of

soul was influenced by Pythagoras.
 Heraclitus : Material world is a world of change.
 Parmenides: The idea of continuity and change.

PROMINENT IDEAS OF PLATO

 Theory of ideas
 Theory of justice
 Theory of education
 Theory of communism of property and wives
 Theory of philosopher king

THEORY OF IDEAS:

Prominent statements
 Reality is the shadow of ideas.
 Idea belongs to the world of permanence that is beyond time and space.
 Ignorance is the root cause of corruption.
 State is individual writ large
 Real happiness lies in satisfaction of one’s soul.
 Transformation of any process is painful but it is worth doing.

Reality is shadow of Ideas”.

Plato has excellently used the “allegory of caves” to explain the idea.

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Allegory of caves

“Allegory of Cave” shows the difference between real

knowledge and the illusion of knowledge.
.
 3-4 persons are sitting in the cave (denotes
Ignorance), the hands of these persons are tied,
and they cannotmove out. They are sitting with
their back towards the mouth of the cave.
Fire is burning inside the cave. When people and
other objects, outside the cave pass through,
they observe the shadow of these objects on the
wall of the cave. Since they have not observed
the real objects, they consider shadow as real.
 By chance the chain of one person gets broken. He runs out of the cave. He enters into the sunlight. Initially
he feels pain in his eyes but later on realizes what he was observing was the illusion of reality, rather than
reality. He realizes that the real world is more beautiful than the world of illusions.
 Sunlight is a symbol of real knowledge. Whereas fire cannot give real light. Such person goes back inside the
cave, and explains the reality, other prisoners make fun of him. Other prisoners are extremely reluctant to
leave their bondages and to come in sunlight.
 It shows that people prefer to live in the den of ignorance, develop their comfort zone. The person will push
these persons forcibly in the sunlight and gradually they also realize the reality.
The person who is pushing is a teacher. The initial process would be painful but worth doing.

 Theory of ideas forms the basis of Plato’s political philosophy. All other theories traces its origin
to the theory of ideas. This idea is also based on the Socratic premise of “knowledge is virtue”.
Plato considers two worlds in his theory,
o world of ideas (real)
o physical world(imaginary)
 Plato made a distinction between two layers of awareness: Opinion & Knowledge.According to
Plato, the idea of virtue is the idea of action; the ultimate object of virtue is to attain knowledge;
the knowledge of virtue is the highest level of knowledge; knowledge is attainable; and so is virtue
attainable.
 The objective of this idea was to create an idea of ‘ideal state’. Being an Athenian Plato was
deeply concerned with the prevailing dismal state of affairs in Athens. Ignorance engraved
corruption in men, as they were searching the meaning of life in materialism. Hence Plato wanted
to show the reality of the Idea and that it can be understood through the use of reason. Matter
belongs to the world of change and hence one should strive for the pursuit of true knowledge.
Plato has devised the method of dialectics to comprehend this idea. The knowledge of virtue is
the highest form of knowledge.
 Theabove explained allegory of caves helps to understand the strive towards real knowledge
rather than illusion of knowledge.
 Later theory of ideas was criticized by the Marxist school of thought which considered matter as
reality, rather than ideas.

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Theory of ideas/ forms also gives rise to another debate which is known as Sophist vs. Socratic debate.

Sophists Socratic Tradition

Sophists are materialists. (Money Socratic are Idealist. (Honesty is preferable to money
andpower is a source of good life.) earnedby unfair means.
Sophists are Realists: They believethat Socratic are Idealist: They believe that “Ought” should not
‘What is’ should determine‘What bederived from “What is”, rather we should try to shape
ought to be.’ “Whatis” on the basis of “What ought to be”.
For them Individual is an end. (Part Society is an end. (Whole is prior to part.)
ispriority over whole.)

Society is conventional or creation Man is by nature a social animal. And Hence society is
ofhumans. natural.(organic)

Advocates contractual theory of state Advocates organic theory of state.

THEORY OF JUSTICE:

Prominent statements:
 “ Our aim in founding the state was the greatest happiness of the whole, we thought that in a
state that is ordered with a view to the good of whole we should be most likely to find justice”
 State is individual writ large.
 Justice is architectonic principle.
 Justice is the interest of the strong. World understands the argument of power rather than the
power of argument.
 Justice is the interest of the weak.
 A just soul is one in which all the elements are specifically positioned.
 Justice demands functionalisation and non-interference in each other’s task.
 State is interdependence. It doesn’t emerge out of oak or rock.

Commentaries
 Sabine: Justice for Plato is a bond threat binds society together.
 Barker: Justice for Plato is a human virtue which makes man good and social.

Theory of Soul (Myth of Metals) (basis of theory of justice)

There are two aspects of our personality.
1.Physical
2.Spiritual (Soul)

The soul is a permanent feature of our personality. Every soul has three elements:
1.Reason

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2.Courage
3.Appetite
However, all souls are not similar. Some are inferior and some are superior souls. There are three
categories of persons, based on the dominant characteristic of the soul.

Metal of soul Virtue Soul Class

Gold Wisdom Rational Rulers
Silver Courage Spirited Guardians
Bronze Temperance Appetite Producers

 Justice gives the resemblance of what is used in the Greek language 'Dikaiosyne', a word which
has a more comprehensive meaning than the word 'justice'. 'Dikaiosyne' means ‘just’,
‘righteousness’. That is why Plato’s notion of justice is not regarded legal or judicial, nor it is
related to the realms of 'rights' and 'duties', it does not come within the limits of law; it is,
related to 'social ethics'.
 For Plato, justice does not consist in mere adherence to the laws, for it is based on the inner
nature of the human spirit.A just state, Plato argues, is achieved with an eye to the good of the
whole.
 In a just society, the rulers, the military, the artisans all do what they ought to do. In such a society,
the rulers are wise, the soldiers are brave and the producers exercise self-control or temperance.

The essential characteristics of Plato's notion can be stated as these:

 Justice is another name of righteousness.
 It is more the performance of duties than
enjoyment of rights.
 It is individual's contribution to the society in
accordance with his abilities, capacities and
capabilities.
 It is a social morality; man's obligation.
 It is the strength of the social fabric as it
involves a web of social system.

Plato has established justice through the method of dialectics. In the book “Republic” he has decribed
Justice through the characters of Socrates, Cephalus, Polymarchus, Thracymachus and Gluacon.
Polymarchus and Cephalus discuss the traditional view of justice whereas Thracymachus gives the radical
view of Justice. Finally Gluacon ends up with the pragmatic view.

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Characters Plato’s response

Cephalus: Accepts doing one’s duty but rejects the second

Justice refers to doing ones duties and paying view. According to him returning weapon to a mad
one’s dues. person is foolishness.

Polymarchus: Justice can be doing good to others, but never

Due means what one deserves. Being good to harming others. Choosing of ones’ friends and
friends and bad to enemies. enemies can be harmful.

Thracymachus: Might is right. Laws are made by people in power

Justice is the interest of the strong. position. State laws represents the rule of the
powerful.

Gluacon: It is wrong to think that only weak requires sate.

Justice is the interest of the weak. No man is self-sufficient. Hence, all weak ors trong
require state.

After the following the above dialectics Plato devises his own theory of justice. The characteristics of
Platonicjustice is as follows:
 Principle of functional specialization and non-interference
 Principle of peace and harmony.
 Justice is the quality of human soul and is important.
 Justice for state implies due performance of each class for individual which further implies
performance of each element ( appetite, reason and courage) with their proper limit.

Plato has justified the virtues befitting each social class. He defines justice as the virtue befitting the state.
He enumerates four cardinal virtues which must be attained in a perfect state. In this respect he has come
up with the dilemma of dominance (different people are characterized by the predominance of anyone
of the components of human nature like desire emotion and knowledge).Rule of philosopher king is the
logical conclusion of Plato’s theory of Justice.

Social class Dominant trait Befitting virtue

Traders Desire (appetite) Temperance

Soldiers Emotion Courage

Philosopher Knowledge Wisdom

Virtue befitting the state Justice

Source: western political thought (O.P Gauba)

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CRITICISM:
 Several criticisms have been leveled against Platonic theory of justice. Platonic doctrine of justice
is based on self - control and self abnegation of the individual in the interest of society. It leads to
functional specialization.
 It ignores the evil of functional specialization which does not sufficiently realize and properly
provide for the whole of human personality. It stunts the growth of the individual and there - by
impoverished the society.
 Platonic theory of justice divides the state into three separate classes and is not applicable to
modern states with large population and numerous interests and sections of society. His division
of society into separate classes would lead to a class state with class consciousness and privileges.
 Further, concentration of political power in the hands of philosophers is likely to lead to
totalitarianism.
As a result Bertrand Russell has dubbed Plato as a totalitarian.

CRITICISM BY ARISTOTLE:
 Plato’s justice is based on one man one job which makes life monotonous a d deprives individual
from all round development.
 Plato’s conception of justice is moral and not legal and is too subjective.
 Plato’s emphasis is mainly on duties and not on rights of the individual.
 Economic power is confined into the hands of the producing class which creates a system of
privilege in the society.

“State is individual writ large.” – Plato

In literal sense it means State is a bigger version of individual. If state is a CAPITAL letter,
individual is small letter. He means to say that, nature of the state will depend on the character of the
individuals.
He makes this statement when he is deriving the principles of Justice. He wants to derive the perfect
idea of justice. Perfect idea means God’s idea. Hence tries to understand the idea of ‘Just soul.’ Just
man is in whom reason dominates over courage and appetite. He believes that principles applicable at
the level of individual can be applied at the level of state. State is a bigger form of individual. Plato
wants to convey that ethics and politics are not independent of each other. Principles of politics are to
be based on ethics.
Plato explains the idea of just soul. Just soul is one in which Reason dominates over courage and
appetite. Such souls are just because they can live in peace and harmony with the others. Only such
persons are capable of leading life of virtue. Since Plato believes that State is a bigger form of individual,
he recommends that the principles of justice found at the level of individual can be applied at the level
of the state.
Hence the just state is where; each person performs the task, according to the spiritual qualities
of soul, not interfering in the task of the other. In Just state reason will dominate over courage and
appetite, in the similar manner like in a just man Reason dominates over the other two elements.

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THEORY OF EDUCATION

Prominent statements and commentaries

 No law or ordinance is mightier than knowledge.
 Education is a life long process.
 Philosopher king sacrifice their love for knowledge for the sake of state.
 Those states are best governed where rulers are reluctant to govern rather than eager to
govern
 Earnest Barker: Plato’s scheme of education brings soul into the environment which in each
stage of its growth is best suited for its development.
 Rousseau: Republic is the best book written in the field of education.

WHY PLATO GAVE HIS THEORY OF EDUCATION?

Education system is mean to create ideal state. Ideal state will require each class to perform its functioning
according to quality of soul, education system will be the means to understand aptitude. Sources of
inspiration for Plato: system of education prevailing in Sparta and Athens. Athens gave importance to
development of creative & logic facilities of mind, through dialectics, philosophy & literature. These were
missing in Sparta.

Spartan Education: State Sponsored Education

Compulsory Military Education.
Athenian Education: Private Education
Neglect of Physical & Military Education

 Plato also believed that education builds man's character and it is, therefore, a necessary
condition for extracting man's natural faculties in order to develop his personalities.
 Barker, speaking for Plato, says that education is a path of social righteousness, and not of social
success; it is a way to reach the truth.
Each level of education has a pre-assigned function:
 Elementary education helps individual give direction to their powers.
 Middle level education helps individuals understand their surroundings.
 Higher education helps individuals prepare, determine and decide their course of education;
Education helps people earn a living and also helps them to become better human beings.

Plato, in his proposed scheme of education, accepts certain assumptions:

 Soul, being initiative and active, throws up, through education, the best things that are latent in
it.
 Education moulds the character of the growing young; it does not provide eyes to the
blind, but it does give vision to men with eyes; it brings soul to the realms of light; it activates
and reactivates the individual
 Each level of education has a pre-assigned function.
 Education helps people earn a living and also helps them to become better human beings.

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Stages:
 Primary education / Elementary - From 0-6 years Children will be taught Gymnastics (exercise
of body), Music (exercise of mind) & moral stories for character building.
 Secondary education / Middle level - From 6-18 years. Basic knowledge of all subjects
 1st test at the age of 18 years. Those who fail will join producer class.
 Military education - From 18-20 years 2nd test - Those who fail, again join the Producer class
& rest will move forward.

 Higher education: From 20 - 35 years Mathematics, Logic, Literature, Philosophy.

 Practical education From 35-50 years at the age of 50, person will become eligible to be known
as philosopher. Many Philosophers will be produced and from here Philosopher king will be
selected.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF PLATO'S SCHEME OF EDUCATION AS THESE:

 Different stages in education followed by test & those who show aptitude for further learning are
promoted further. He didn’t want to make education a commercial enterprise
 Gives equal opportunity to women.
 His whole system of education is state sponsored.
 Aimed at attaining the physical, mental, intellectual, moral development of human personality.

CRITICISM:
 Plato’s diagnosis is correct but prescription is not right.
One of the major flaw of Plato is he ignores human
psychology. It is true that those who are eager to come to
power may have lust for power and money, but the
solution cannot be worse than the disease.
 It is proven fact that person cannot perform any task well
for longer duration if he or she does not have interest in
his work. We can think of some other legal, institutional
measures to deal with the corruption of the ruling class.

PLATO’S THEORY OF COMMUNISM

Prominent statements
 Barker: abolition of family life among guardian class is inevitably a corollary of their
renunciation of private property.
 Plato’s communism is a supplementary mechanism which education system was supposed to
create.

Communism: Common ownership & against Private ownership.

 Plato’s Communism has a political objective - an economic solution to political ailment. Marx’s
Communism has an economic objective - a political solution to economic ailment. Plato's
communism is limited to only two classes- Ruling & Guardian class, while Marx's communism
applies to the whole society.

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 Marxian theory of communism that seeks to eventually establish a classless and hence stateless
society, as according to it the state is instrument of the domination in the hands of ruling classes.
Plato’s theory of communism that is used as one of instruments of consolidation of the
hierarchically ‘well ordered’ state.

COMMUNISM OF PROPERTY & WIVES

COMMUNISM OF PROPERTY:
 Deprivation of all the members of the ruling classes, the guardians and soldiers from having any
private property including private house, land or gold and silver (wealth). They shall live in the
state managed barracks and eat in the common mess. According to him those classes which have
the qualities of gold and silver within, need not external silver or gold.

COMMUNISM OF WIVES / COMMUNISM OF FAMILY:

 Confining women into domestic chorus was wasting half of the potential social talent. First
argument family, according to him is linked with property and is equally distractive and corrupting
as property. The rulers must not waste time and energy in familial responsibility but devote
themselves in the invention of the truth.

Plato hints at, one female would be wife of all the guardians and one male, the husband of all the
females. A father would have thousand sons, and a son, thousand fathers. This created misunderstanding
in many.As soon as children are born, they will be taken by officers appointed for the purpose.

PLATO’S ARGUMENTS
 The emotive and impulsive attachment to the family fetters the absolute devotion to the state
and concern for their offspring causes selfish tendencies detrimental to social unity and harmony.
 Family is hurdle for women’s equal education and function as guardians and hence an obstruction
in their emancipation.
 Abolition of the institutions of marriage and family is essential for the moral development of
guardians. Due to marriage men and women carelessly indulge into sexual intercourse, whenever
they wish to instead of controlled and disciplined sex to produce worthy children.
 The maintenance of family needs wealth implying that the involvements of the guardians in
economic activities interfering into the realm of economic producers deviating from their political
duties in violation of the principle of justice.
 Those who exercise political power should have no economic motives, and those who are
engaged in economic activities should have no share in political power.

According to Barker, Plato’s Communism had many novel objectives - It is a scheme of eugenics, a scheme
for emancipation of women, people integrated to state, men & women having freedom to develop their
highest capabilities.

(Criticism) According to Karl Popper: (Book- “The open society & its enemies.)

HE CONDEMNED PLATO’S COMMUNISM

 It is doubtful if communism of family would bring greater unity state.
 Plato subordinates individual to the state completely.

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 It is also doubtful if the state-controlled mating would ever be workable; it would rather reduce
men and women to the levels of mere animals by suggesting temporary marital relationship.
 The whole scheme of communism is too rigid, too strict, and too stringent.
 Plato's communism of families suggests a system of marriage which is neither monogamy, nor
bigamy, nor polygamy, nor polyandry.
 Plato’s communism is too rigid, too strict, too ideal (utopian) & far from realities.

CRITICISM BY ARISTOTLE:
On Family - Family is emotional stability. Time tested institution. Family is a unit of society. Communism
of wives/family cannot be considered progressive, it will be rather going back to barbaric ages.

Comparison with Modern Communism:

Similarities:
 Both are alike in the sense that both ignore the individuality of the citizens and are based on
the supremacy of the state which absorbs the individual.
 Both are totalitarian covering various aspects of the life of the individual.
 Both are based on the ignorance of the essentials of human nature and human instincts.
 Further, both are calculated to eliminate unregulated economic competition based on
individualism.
 Platonic communism and modern communism both mean to promote political unity and social
harmony and to develop the sense of social service.
Differences:
 Plato’s communism has a political objective - an economic solution of a political ailment.
 Plato’s communism is limited to only two upper classes – the rulers and the auxiliaries while
Marx’s communism applies to the whole society.
 As Prof. C.C. Maxey has rightly pointed out, Plato's basis of communism is material temptation
and it’s nature is individualist while Marx' basis is the growth of social evils, which result from
the accumulation of private property in addition to the above differences.
 Plato's communism was calculated to prevent concentration of economic and political power
in the same hands; modern communism gives political power to the producing class.
 Plato's communism involved abolition of private family life and private property; modern
communism intends to abolish private property only.

THEORY OF PHILOSOPHER KING:

Prominent statements
 No law or ordinance can be mightier than knowledge.
 Law is a reason free from Passion.
 Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
 Until philosophers are rulers or rulers learn philosophy there is no predicament to human life.
 It is foolish to limit an expert practitioner of medicine with the book of medicine.

Why Philosopher King? To make Athens an Ideal State.

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Logic: It is foolish to limit an expert practitioner of medicine with Book of medicine. Knowledge is the
merit which qualifies the ruler to rule the people. Ought to know the science of politics, and uses it artist
uses his/her art. Peasant is a peasant because he knows the job of tilling; similarly a ruler is a ruler because
he knows the job of ruling. Like artist Plato only put one limitation - “Philosopher king can not change the
constitution”

CRITICISM:

Aristotle - It is not possible to find Philosopher king & even if we find, there is no guarantee that he will
not be corrupt. Appetite may dominate over reason. “Plato is sacrificing good for the sake of best.”

Evaluation of Plato:

Criticism
Karl Popper

PLATO WAS AN ENEMY OF THE OPEN SOCIETY.

 Plato's political programme is fundamentally identical with it totalitarianism. If Plato were truly
totalitarian, then he would have built a police state; would have made provisions for secret police;
would have suggested severe and harsh punishments; would have provided concentration camps;
would have landed terror. But nowhere do we find Plato saying all this.
 On the contrary pictures an ideal state whose aim is ethical, whose rulers are guided by a rational
plan and who has to have a particular type of education, a systematic training and a life of
dedication and almost of renunciation.

 Plato's philosophy sought to perpetuate or eternalise the ideal - the ideal of anti-democracy, anti-
change and anti-open society. "Plato's fundamental demands can be expressed in either of the
two formulas, the first corresponding to his idealist theory of change and rest, the second to
naturalism.
 The idealist formula is: Arrest all political change. Change is evil, rest divine. All change can be
arrested if the state is made an exact copy of its original, i.e. Idea of the city.

 Should it be asked how this is practicable, we can reply with the naturalistic formula: Back to the
Nature. Back to the original state of our forefathers, the primitive state founded in accordance
with human nature, and therefore, stable; back to the tribal patriarchy of the time before the fall,
to the natural class rule of the wise few over the ignorant many."

John Jay Chapman, a devout anti - Platonist, called Plato 'the prince of conjures’.

R.H.S. Crossman says that “Plato was wrong, both for his times and for ours”. Plato’s endeavour was to
construct a perfect society, free of three evil that confronted Athens: class war, bad government and bad
education. Crossman found Plato making erroneous assumptions and these were; (a) the poor faith he
had in the ability and intelligence of common man, (b) his mistaken belief that a just government could
be established by a revolution, and (c) the final truth could be discovered by suppressing freedom of
thought.

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PLATO AS FIRST FEMINIST

 Despite coming from a highly patriarchal society, Plato never believed that women suffer from
any natural disabilities either in field of education or in the field of governance. He gives equality
of opportunity to women. His scheme of communism where state takes the custody of the child,
also has liberating influence on women.
 Those who think that Plato cannot be regarded as feminist believe that, for feminists, the main
objective is liberation of women. Liberation of women was not the primary aim of Plato. He aimed
to make women free so that their talent can be utilized in the service of the state.
 However, Plato was the first person in the western world to recognize that women do not suffer
from any natural disability. He even gives the idea of the philosopher queens, which itself is a very
revolutionary idea.

Plato is father of political philosophy

Plato is philosophy, philosophy is Plato.
The entire western political philosophy is nothing but footnotes to Plato and Aristotle.
“One can be either Platonic, or anti-Platonic, but can never be non-platonic.” (You can either like Plato
or dislike him, but cannot ignore him.) – Karl Popper.
Above statements show the importance of Plato in the tradition of western philosophy. Plato is known
as the father of political philosophy. On the basis of Socrates’ theory of Knowledge, Plato has developed
his ‘theory of idea’. Thus he lead the foundation of the systematic study of ideas. Plato was the first
person to give the idea of the ideal state. He wanted to show how our life will be if we can establish the
ideal state. He has discussed the ideals of the ruling class. He has shown that the knowledge of
philosophy is not just for the benefit of the philosopher, it is to be used in the service of humanity.
Besides political philosophy he has also given an elaborate scheme of education. Plato’s republic is not
only masterpiece in political philosophy, it is recognized as one of the best books written in the field of
education also. Plato’s greatness is acknowledged not only by his supporters but even by his opponents.
Karl Popper who is one of the greatest critics of Plato, has acknowledged influence of Plato. According
to Popper, “One can be either Platonic…” Thus he shows that the influence of Plato’s ideas is such
that we can either like him or dislike him, but it is not possible to ignore him.

PLATO AS ANTI-DEMOCRAT
 Plato equated democratization with moral corruption and degradation, and endeavoured to
reform and revolutionized the general quality of human life.
 He attacked democracy as the incompetence and ignorance of politicians gave rise to
factionalism, extreme violence and partisan politics which were the causes of political instability.
 He blamed the restored democracy in Athens for the death of Socrates.
 He tried to infuse the communitarian spirit of Sparta into the individualistic Athenian society, and
temper democracy with aristocratic value.

IS PLATO A FORERUNNER OF MODERN TOTALITARIANISM, OR THE FIRST FASCIST?

 Plato was accused of ignoring the uniqueness of each individual, and disregarding mutual respect
in relationships. Plato’s perception of marriage, he felt, was more a view of a “stock breeder”. He
defined social good in a manner that resembles the “ironclad” system of Communist Russia.

 Crossman concluded that Plato made the profoundest attack on the basic premises of liberal
democracy, namely equality, freedom and self-government, because he had very little faith in the

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 Lecture 1 – PLATO

capacity of each individual for self-development, freedom and individuality. Plato offered
security, prosperity and the noble lie through the Myth of Metals.

 Berlin pointed out that Plato did not grant the individual the freedom of choice, which was an
inalienable human right. Plato also rejected pluralism, for he believed that there was a solution
to all human problems and the universe was directed towards a single goal.

 But on the other hand Levinson had decided in favour of Plato stating that fascism and Platonism
are incomparable. Fascism is a hodge podge of ideologies whereas Plato had a genuine desire to
provide the citizens a life of excellence and harmony.

PLATO'S PLACE IN WESTERN POLITICAL THEORY:

“Entire western philosophy is nothing but footnotes to Plato”- Whitehead
“One can be either Platonic or anti-platonic, but never non platonic.”– Karl Popper
 Plato was father of philosophy, politics and literary idealism.
 An analyst of social and political institutions and seeker of the ideal life. He was the forerunner
and inspirer of most of the anti-materialistic political philosophies, reconstructive political
theories, and radical political programs which have appeared in subsequent ages.
 Plato's contribution to the western political philosophy without any parallel. He has given it a
direction, a basis and a vision.
 Political idealism is Plato’s gift to western political philosophy.
 Plato’s significance also lies in making education bedrock of ideal state.
 A philosopher is one who thinks more than he sees; he sees things in general, and avoids what is
particular.
 Plato was such a philosopher who saw the general deteriorating conditions of the city states of
his time. He sought to diagnose the ailment rather than the symptoms.

PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL ANSWERS

“PLATO WAS THE ENEMY SOCIETY.” (POPPER). 2015

Karl Popper in his book “Spell of Plato” vol I has criticised Plato as the enemy of open society and the
forerunner of fascism. Plato was criticised mainly because of the following factors:
 Dislike for democracy.
 Rule of power over Rule of Law.
 Disbelief in the capacity of common man.
 Sacrifice of the citizens for the wider interest of the state.
 Leader (Philosopher King) is considered supremo with absolute powers
 Propagating myths like myth of metals and myth of racial superiority.
According to Popper open society refers to a society where people live according to their preferences
rather than arbitrary dictates of some wisest person. In an open society there is the prevalence of freedom
of speech and expression and where education is not indoctrination. Since the above features were not
present in Plato’s society so Popper dubbed Plato as the enemy of open society. He has even compared
Plato's idea with communism as both of these ideas were against democracy. Plato focusses on duty with
no rights making it incompatible with modern society.
Popper has further criticised Plato’s concept of changing things in one go, thus accusing him of Holism.
Instead, Popper had suggested piecemeal social engineering which is much closer Aristotelian idea of slow
change.

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 Lecture 1 – PLATO

Rajeev Bhargava has criticised Popper as being ideologically biased. But yet it is clear that whether Plato
was protofascist or not but after Popper’s work no one will see Plato in the same way as it used to be.

EXPLAIN ARISTOTLE'S CRITIQUE OF PLATO'S IDEALISM. 2019

“As Brutus loves no Caesar less, but Rome more, so for Aristotle-dear is Plato, but dearer is truth.”-Will
Durant.
The above quote proves that Aristotle beside being the disciple of Plato was also the greatest critic of
Plato. Though both of them of them belonged to the classical Greek tradition yet there was considerable
difference in their methodology and conclusions.
Aristotle being father of political science has criticised the ideal approach of Plato. Aristotle being a
reformist has attacked the radical approach of Plato. Plato’s idealism believed in change at one stroke
whereas Aristotle believed in gradual reform, hence he was against the idea of revolution. As Plato
believed in political idealism, he had suggested the rule of the philosopher king. Aristotle in turn had
suggested the Rule of Law.
Aristotle didn’t approve three classes of Plato's ideal state. Aristotle was against Plato’s ideal state. He
was against one class enjoying all powers. To establish an ideal state, he had suggested Communism of
property and wives. Aristotle on the other hand had favoured the social nature of man by stating that
family is a time-tested institution.
Though criticism of Plato by Aristotle is violent but there is a Plato in Aristotle. Foster is in this respect has
suggested that “Aristotle the greatest of Platonist that he is, is permeated by Platonism to a degree in
which perhaps no great philosopher besides him has been permeated by the thought of another”.
Aristotle begins from where Plato ends. Both Aristotle and Plato start with the ideal examine the actual
and stop at the possible. The common thread running between them is the ethical perfection of man. So
Ebenstein writes “Plato found the corrective to his thinking in his own student”.

Model questions

Q. Plato - “Social education is a means to social justice.” Comment.

Q. Plato's theory of education is an attempt to touch the evil at its very source. Evaluate.
Q. Plato’s theory of education is the logical result of his theory of Justice. Comment.
Q. No law or ordinance is mightier than knowledge (Plato). Comment.
Q. “Plato was an enemy of the open society”(Popper) Comment.
Q. Only the man who has a taste for every sort of knowledge and throws himself into acquiring it with all
insatiable curiosity will deserve to be called a philosopher (Plato). Comment.
Q. State is individual writ large. Comment.
Q. Justice is architectonic idea of Plato. Discuss.
Q. Reality is shadow of ideas. Comment.
Q. Popper shares Plato’s opposition to popular rule.

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