According to Plato, that which is True “can never be refuted” (Plato, Gorgias 37). The pursuit of Truth is the noblest of aims undertaken by those who Plato would refer to as “philosophers”. Philosophers are concerned not just with what is convenient, but with the transcendent truths on which a nation is built. Fredrick Douglas was a primary leader during the anti-slavery movement, a philosopher of that day. A nation that rejects it’s own hypocrisy and clings to its Truths inherently strengthens itself. Looking through the lens of the Platonic Framework of the True, Fredrick Douglas’ pursuit of justice is Good.
We distinguish between rhetoric and philosophy by examining their aims. Rhetoric is a tool used to persuade with no morality attached, …show more content…
Religious leaders and groups are very powerful voices in community, their stances on morality greatly effect the social climate of a nation. When the churches of America refused to speak out against slavery from the pulpit, or condoned it from the pulpit they were committing, according to Douglas, the highest form of hypocrisy. A hypocrisy that is “a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages” (Douglas). The church, he reasoned, due to their religious ideologies, should have stood along side the slaves and fought with them. The Christian religion stems from a nation that was constantly enslaved and rescued by their God. As a proverbial mouth piece of this God, a God who loves all equally, the churches were morally obligated to stand against slavery. Instead of supporting the anti slavery-movement, many churches “disregarded and trampled upon [the Bible]” and their own beliefs by hindering the Anti-slavery movement (Douglas). This rejection of their core beliefs, beliefs shared by many of the slaves fighting for their freedom, had a considerable negative effect on the national progress of the movement. This negative effect slowed the process of America bringing herself to justice. Douglas’ endeavor to convict the church is pursuant to the Platonic True because he is shedding light on the transcendent Truth, fundamental beliefs, and moral …show more content…
For America to truly be a well ordered society, this contradiction to their self-acclaimed universal Truth demanded rectification. Douglas cannot fathom why a nation would cling to slavery, something universally harmful to its core of freedom, progress, and education (Douglas). His endeavors to strengthen America by confronting their hypocrisy and calling for immediate changes is pursuant to the Platonic Framework of the True. By the same token, since that which is True is just, and that which is just is Good, Douglas’ call for justice takes up the Platonic Good. The Platonic Good, True, and Beautiful adopt the values of the society they are applied to, with the common purpose of describing that which is best for said society. Noting these transcendent ideals is significant because the pursuit of perfection, in person and society, is a constant human
We distinguish between rhetoric and philosophy by examining their aims. Rhetoric is a tool used to persuade with no morality attached, …show more content…
Religious leaders and groups are very powerful voices in community, their stances on morality greatly effect the social climate of a nation. When the churches of America refused to speak out against slavery from the pulpit, or condoned it from the pulpit they were committing, according to Douglas, the highest form of hypocrisy. A hypocrisy that is “a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages” (Douglas). The church, he reasoned, due to their religious ideologies, should have stood along side the slaves and fought with them. The Christian religion stems from a nation that was constantly enslaved and rescued by their God. As a proverbial mouth piece of this God, a God who loves all equally, the churches were morally obligated to stand against slavery. Instead of supporting the anti slavery-movement, many churches “disregarded and trampled upon [the Bible]” and their own beliefs by hindering the Anti-slavery movement (Douglas). This rejection of their core beliefs, beliefs shared by many of the slaves fighting for their freedom, had a considerable negative effect on the national progress of the movement. This negative effect slowed the process of America bringing herself to justice. Douglas’ endeavor to convict the church is pursuant to the Platonic True because he is shedding light on the transcendent Truth, fundamental beliefs, and moral …show more content…
For America to truly be a well ordered society, this contradiction to their self-acclaimed universal Truth demanded rectification. Douglas cannot fathom why a nation would cling to slavery, something universally harmful to its core of freedom, progress, and education (Douglas). His endeavors to strengthen America by confronting their hypocrisy and calling for immediate changes is pursuant to the Platonic Framework of the True. By the same token, since that which is True is just, and that which is just is Good, Douglas’ call for justice takes up the Platonic Good. The Platonic Good, True, and Beautiful adopt the values of the society they are applied to, with the common purpose of describing that which is best for said society. Noting these transcendent ideals is significant because the pursuit of perfection, in person and society, is a constant human