People live chained to a wall with a fire
behind them. Shadows are cast on the wall
they are facing by different objects. The
shadows are as close as the people get to
viewing reality, and they begin naming the
shadows.
One person (philosopher) is released from
the cave and comes to understand the
shadows on the wall do not make up
reality. He is able to perceive the true form
of reality.
He goes back to the cave to explain his
discoveries, but the lack of light blinds
him, and the others think that going out
has harmed him and are dissuaded from
undertaking a similar journey. If the
prisoners were able to, they would reach
out and kill anyone who attempted to
take them from the cave.
'Theory of Forms'
'Forms' ('Ideas') and not the material
world known through sensation,
possesses the highest and most
fundamental kind of reality. Only
knowledge of the 'Forms' would
constitute 'real' knowledge
Used to compare the
effect of education and
the lack of it on human
nature
Historical Context
Greece - Composed of small
city states - Autonomous
governments
Constant
warfare/Internal
strife
Psychological Theory
Analogy between society and the individual
Ideal Society = Ideal Life
Person is composed of
2 elements: Body and
Soul
Human Soul composed
of three parts:
Rational Element
(Wisdom)
Wisdom rules over the Desires.
Spirit helps enforce the laws of the
Rational Element
Spirited Element
(Courage)
Appetitive Element
(Desire/Passion)
'Ideal Society'
Each of the components of
the soul correspond with a
class in society
Ruling Class (Rational)
Warriors (Spiritual)
General Citizenry (Appetitive)
Like the ideal individual, the ideal
society will be one in which all these
elements function harmoniously, with
the warriors assisting the rulers to
keep the citizenry under benign control.
The 'Philosopher
Kings'
Plato believed that some people are better
than others. If everyone were equally virtuous,
there would be no need for government.
Philosopher Kings
rule autonomously
Philosopher kings must be
properly schooled, to allow them
to make the right decision.
Plato believed that family interests and desire for
riches are the 2 greatest obstacles to good,
impartial leadership, and as such, Philosopher Kings
would have no families or private wealth
Despised democracy as it lead to
the death of his mentor, Socrates
Ruling is a skill
People differ innately in their
capabilities their ability to acquire and
use various skills
Those who exhibit the greatest capacity
for ruling should be trained and should
eventually become autonomous rulers
Given absolute authority so
that their laws will be put
into effect
Criticisms
Is ruling is a skill
achievable only by a few?
Ruling is not reducible
to a science, the way
that medicine is.
A good society is one which
allows for the full expression
of its citizens’ interests.
Only one ‘good life’; absolute standards
of goodness and the philosopher king
knows what these are
Should a ruler be
given absolute power?
Experience tells us that intelligent people
can always find ways of circumventing
safeguards and misusing authority.
Infallible rulers don't exsist
Would Plato’s state
represent the ideal state?
Mature citizenry implies
responsibility – but Plato’s society is
paternalistic. Most citizens will never
be free to make their own decisions.
In Plato’s society, limited
self-expression means no change