The following paper will be discussing Plato's perspective on the philosopher-kings and what makes them the best rulers. I will use examples from the text Plato, Republic to describe Plato's ideal city which will demonstrate Plato's true definition of justice and why no city can be just unless it is ruled by a philosopher-king. Through explaining Plato's ideal city this will aid in concluding why Plato believes philosopher-kings are the best fit to rule in order to truly have a just society.
In the text Plato, Republic Plato is discussing human behaviour, most prominently the trait of justice. The characters within The Republic discuss humans and justice, why people are just, is it due to fear of punishment from the law or is it because they …show more content…
Plato hopes to show the relation of the city to the individual and how they are similar in how they operate. Plato explains his ideal city through describing the specializations of each person, how everyone performs the role they are naturally best suited for and only that to ensure the highest quality of work and goods beginning in book II (Plato, 369, d). This, however, is not enough and is ridiculed by Socrates as "the city of pigs" (Plato, 372, c) in order to make the city a luxurious one artist, actors, tutors, and poets are needed but all of this wealth and expanding will cause war. Because of the inevitable outcome of a war, the role of The Guardians is needed to protect the city, these Guardians are raised to be tough, have courage, be obedient and generally elite in the ways of protection. These Guardians are molded as children where their music, food, and the world around them is monitored and constructed to ensure The Guardians love their city more than themselves. Plato continues on by describing a myth that is the Nobel lie describing the origin of the city to ensure people will fully be convinced of the natural hierarchy in place and therefore will
In the text Plato, Republic Plato is discussing human behaviour, most prominently the trait of justice. The characters within The Republic discuss humans and justice, why people are just, is it due to fear of punishment from the law or is it because they …show more content…
Plato hopes to show the relation of the city to the individual and how they are similar in how they operate. Plato explains his ideal city through describing the specializations of each person, how everyone performs the role they are naturally best suited for and only that to ensure the highest quality of work and goods beginning in book II (Plato, 369, d). This, however, is not enough and is ridiculed by Socrates as "the city of pigs" (Plato, 372, c) in order to make the city a luxurious one artist, actors, tutors, and poets are needed but all of this wealth and expanding will cause war. Because of the inevitable outcome of a war, the role of The Guardians is needed to protect the city, these Guardians are raised to be tough, have courage, be obedient and generally elite in the ways of protection. These Guardians are molded as children where their music, food, and the world around them is monitored and constructed to ensure The Guardians love their city more than themselves. Plato continues on by describing a myth that is the Nobel lie describing the origin of the city to ensure people will fully be convinced of the natural hierarchy in place and therefore will