Plato's Ideal Society Analysis

Plato was a Greek philosopher who is best known for his work, "The Republic". In this work, Plato sets out to demonstrate what would make a just and perfect society. In Plato 's Republic (book V), Socrates claims that "the model of the just city cannot come into being until philosophers rule as kings or kings become philosophers (IEP/Plato). Plato 's ideal society is based on the concept of justice, namely, the natural division of labour. With the natural division of labour there are three different classes (corresponding to three different parts of the soul). These are producers, guardians, and rulers. The ruler is the philosopher "king" and has true knowledge of each craft and how it should be organized. he directs the city for the benefit of all the people. The guardians uphold his authority while the producers provide for themselves. The …show more content…
The leaders in Plato 's society are said to be those who have reached enlightenment. My issue involves the question of how can there be a definitive way of deciding who has reached true enlightenment and who has not. If we were to live in Plato 's ideal society, who would be the rulers of our country? Do you know anyone who is enlightened and could run our society other than our current politicians? What gives you the idea that this person is enlightened? The separation of classes is another idea that I believe is flaw in Plato 's society. This is due to its lack of purpose. If this is an ideal society, why is there a need for the military? In an Ideal society, wouldn 't one choose peace over war? To make another point, I for one do not believe an ideal society is one that identifies people based on their intellect and physical ability. Why would your identity have to come from only two measurable qualities? Many personal traits and abilities do not relate to these two categories (physical ability and