Analysis Of Plato's Form Of The Good

In this paper I will be defending Plato’s style of philosophy and why philosopher kings are best suited to rule, this will also encompass the Forms as it is key to understanding why they are the best suited. Plato uses his Forms to further his knowledge of the difference between people whom he would consider to be true philosophers and people whom he would refer to simply as intellectuals. Plato affirms that a philosopher is best suited to say how people should live based upon the knowledge that they have obtained through all their training. This is because the philosopher is very familiar with theories that are pertinent to politics and other issues of justice, these things include but are not limited to right and wrong, and just and unjust …show more content…
The Form of the good is the most important Form of all the Forms, and therefore is the highest goal for all philosophers to attempt to reach. Philosophers were said to desire the knowledge of more than just the sensible realm where most people live their lives on a daily basis, never questioning the things they see. While the rough definition of the Form of the good is provided in the Republic’s page 509, it is compared to the sun for the reason that it not only allows us to see and perceive the other goods, but it gives the source for these other Forms to thrive and grow under. Plato is quoted as saying, “The sun, I presume you will say, not only furnishes to visibles the power of visibility but it also provides for their generation and growth and nurture though it is not itself generation.” It is said that only philosophers have souls that desire to fulfill the rational part of their individual souls, which is different from the majority of people who mostly seek to fulfill the appetitive and the spirited parts. As we move along in the Republic Plato discusses that knowing the difference of the forms and having knowledge of more than just the sensible realm has very prevalent consequences for a person’s ability to live what is considered a good life. Plato states that only by understanding and having knowledge of the Forms can one truly understand how man should live, and since only the philosopher can understand the Forms then only a philosopher is truly fit to rule. Only the philosopher can understand the concepts such as right and wrong or the concept of justice this means that they are who is best fit to make decisions, particularly those with political implications. Since the philosopher