Comparing Plato s The Republic - 957 Words

What mix of traits creates the perfect ruler? Some may say charisma, personability, or even good looks. Throughout history, a plethora of leaders with different views have been successful for many different kinds of societies. Depending on what the society needs, rulers change their ways as well as do what they can for the good of their people. In Plato’s The Republic, the character Socrates argues with his peers about what makes the perfect society, as well as the perfect leader. According to Plato, the wisest choice for a ruler in a near perfect society is a philosopher, containing multiple important attributes. A wide variety of characteristics are covered, yet Plato seems to focus in on several key foundations. Plato’s views on essential traits of a philosopher focus on the necessity of truth and thirst for knowledge. Perhaps the most important trait of a philosopher is the ability to learn. This trait is important because if it pains a philosopher to learn, they ca n’t be expected to enjoy it or have much success (486 c). The idea of constantly wanting more knowledge is abundant. Plato often states that a yearning for knowledge will come at a young age, and that it won’t be easy (485 d). Searching for knowledge is a lifelong commitment that takes dedication and persistence. He also gives a counter example while talking about the timarchic character as well as the oligarchic society. Due to an imperfect education, the timarchic leader will have inner conflict when itShow MoreRelatedComparing Plato s Republic, The Philosopher And Plato965 Words   |  4 PagesIn Plato s Republic, the philosopher is sitting having a discussion with his fellow peers and friends. During this conversation each character except Plato offers their opening and reasoning on the question, what is justice. For the majority of the book Plato outlines almost every aspect of his ideal city. Within this city Plato has set up many rules in order for the city to remain just. All the way from mating rituals to who should rule, virtually all factors have been thought of and serves a specificRead MoreComparing Plato s Xi Of The Republic1376 Words   |  6 PagesIn Book XI of The Republic, Socrates introduces three metaphors to help us understand his Theory of the Forms, which says that the only way to acquire true knowledge of the Good, we must turn away from the world of the sensible, and turn to the world of the Forms and intellect. These analogies follow Socrates’ argument earlier in Book XI which is that the only way to correctly rule a city is to master the Forms and understand that ultimate form of the Good which only a true philosopher can achieveRead MoreComparing Machiavelli And Plato s The Republic 1612 Words   |  7 Pagesvoices in this debate are those of Niccolo Machiavelli and Plato, separated by hundreds of years in history the two men had differing views on the role of the government’s influence on its people. Machiavelli expresses his idea of the correct form of government in both â€Å"The Prince† and â€Å"The Discourses† in which he preaches that a government must stand strong in order for the people below it to flourish. Meanwhile Plato’s notorious â€Å"The Republic† takes a different stance and pushes the idea that the governmentRead MoreComparing Plato s The Republic Of 380bce And One Of The Key Themes2021 Words   |  9 PagesPlato wrote the Republic in 380BCE and one of the key themes in the book is the theory of justice (C. D. C. Reeve, 2004). In this essay, we will follow the three main views of justice set out by , Glaucon (Ademantus) and Socrates highlighted in Plato’s The Republic. Whilst Thrasymachus explains a very simple and easily understood view of justice, seeing it as the laws created by the rulers of a city, there is no input from anybody else (Lampert, 2010, p260) In my opinion, Glaucon has a much strongerRead MoreKant And Kant s Philosophy On Ethics970 Words   |  4 Pagessame question. A dictionary describes ethics as-moral principles that govern a person s or group s behavior. Is there a universal ethical behavior ? Are all countries ethical ? Theses very same questions many philosophers have tried to figure through time from Socrates to Immanuel kant (and to this very day for the matter!). While comparing two great eathist Plato and Immanuel Kant I, the writer argue that Kant s ideological views on ethics were far superior to Plato’s due to several factors. ForRead MoreComparing Aristotle and Plato Essays1325 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Aristotle and Plato Aristotle argues that in order for a polis to emerge, a union between man and women must convene. Later a household must be introduced which unites with other households to form a village, villages come together to form city-states. This theory is Aristotle’s natural view that an individual can not be self sufficient Plato argues that, in order to achieve absolute justice, a city-state is needed. In The Republic, Plato builds around the idea of Philosopher RulersRead MorePlato and Sir Philip Sydneys Views on Poetry955 Words   |  4 PagesIt seems that Plato and Sir Philip Sidney are somewhat different and alike but Sidney is more relative. He makes it acceptable for poetry to experiment in different things instead of being so serious all the time. Comparing the two essays, Sidney is more realistic and practical about poetry and its meaning than Plato. Plato wants to create something that does not exist in the world-The Perfect Ideal State. There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve your living environment or the world that youRead MoreMy Views On Education And Education1304 Words   |  6 Pages In this paper, I am going to examine and compare my views on education to the great philosophers Aristotle, Socrates and Plato. Education should not be something forced on people from a very young age. We are educating our children to be master test takers who conform to the no rm and not to think outside the box. My position is supported by Socrates in Plato s The Republic and Aristotle in his Nicomachean Ethics, Book II. Because students waste too much time on testing, education should not beRead MoreMy Views On Education And Education1154 Words   |  5 Pages In this paper, I am going to examine and compare my views on education to the great philosophers Aristotle, Socrates and Plato. Education should not be something forced on people from a very young age. We are educating our children to be master test takers who conform to the norm and not to think outside the box. My position is supported by Socrates in Plato s The Republic and Aristotle in his Nicomachean Ethics, Book II. Because students waste too much time on testing, education should not beRead MoreWhy the Philospher Should Rule (Plato)1708 Words   |  7 Pages1) (From the Republic Book VII) WHY SHOULD THE PHILOSOPHER RULE? EXPLAIN WHY HE IS BEST SUITED TO RULE AND EXPLAIN 2) WHY IT IS A DILEMMA FOR HE TO CHOOSE TO RULE. WHY DOES HE HAVE TO BE COMPELLED AND WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE COMPULSION? 3) BE SURE TO COMMENT ON HOW THIS QUESTION IS RELATED TO THE ANSWER PLATO ATTEMPTS TO CONSTRUCT TO GLAUCONS CHALLENGE? Part 1 In Plato’s Republic, Plato sets out to prove that it is always better to be just than unjust. Doing so requires him to look