Platos Republic Essay -- essays research papers

Platos RepublicCritics of The Republic, Platos contribution to the history ofpolitical theory, get hold of formed two distinct opinions on the reasoning behind thework. The commencement ceremony group believes that The Republic is truly a model for apolitical society, while the other strongly objects to that, stating it asbeing far too idle for any society to operate successfully by thesesuggested methods. In an exchange between Crito and Dionysius, this argument isfirst introduced, with Crito siding with those who agree that The Republic is a hard-nosed political model, and Dionysius arguing on behalf of those who doubt itas being realistic, claiming it to be a criticism of political relation in general.Both sides have legitimate arguments, and thither is evidence within thetext to support each opinion. When Plato wrote Gorgias, he made it clear whereexactly he stood on his personal involvement in politics (Cornford 1941, xix). Unlimited power without the kat onceledge of good a nd evil is at the best unenviable,and the tyrant who uses it to exterminate his enemies and rivals is the mostmiserable of men--a theme to be further real(a) in The Republic (Cornford xx).But here, Plato was referring to the politics of his time, and critics whosided with Crito believed that The Republic was Platos way of introducing apolitical system in which he would feel comfortable supporting (Plato 204).conversely though, The Republic itself is summed up this wayWell, one would be enough to effect all this reform that now seems soincredible, if he had subjects disposed to obey for it is for certainnot impossible that they should consent to carry out our laws andcustoms when laid down by a ruler. It would be no miracle if othersshould think as we do and we have, I believe, sufficiently shown that ourplan, if practicable, is the best. So, to conclude our institutionswould be the best, if they could be realized, and to realize them, though hard,is not impossible (Plato 210-211) .These institutions of which Plato speaks are described in the body ofThe Republic, and not solely does Plato ex... ... his work, which favors the opposition. But, hisideas themselves are in no way impossible to accomplish. Plato had this to sayto sum up all his beliefs, there will never be a unblemished state or constitution,nor yet a perfect man, until some happy circumstance compels these fewphilosophers who have escaped corruption but are now called useless, to takecharge, whether they like it or not, of a state which will submit to theirauthority or else until kings and rulers or their sons are divinely inspiredwith a genuine passion for true philosophy. If either alternative or bothwere impossible, we might justly be laughed at as idle dreamers but, as Imaintain, there is no ground for saying so. Accordingly, if ever in theinfinity of time, past or future, or even today in some foreign theatrical role farbeyond our horizon, men of the highest gifts for philosophy are const rained totake charge of a commonwealth, we are ready to maintain that, then and there,the constitution we have described has been realized, or will be realizedwhen once the philosophic muse becomes mistress of a state. For that mighthappen. Our plan is difficult--we have admitted as much--but notimpossible (Plato 208).