Plato's Guardianship Essay
Writing Assignment 1
In the Republic the idea that the function of guardianship is to be performed by men and women alike is talked about. Through this paper I will make an effort to show how Plato argues to have women included in the guardian class and some contextual examples of their lives in that time period. This will give you the reader deeper understandings of the cultural norms of that time period extended to genders. In the time of Plato any entity that tried to change the traditional social norms that concerned the duties of man and woman was seen as a threat to society. In Athenian society the function of the wife was to remain private. Her duty was merely to serve the family. According to Plato the ‘biological difference between …show more content…
To counteract this statement he does mention that in some ways women are better at many things than men. There is really no rational reason as to why women cannot serve in government positions.
As one analyzes Plato’s argument about woman in government you do see a parallel between his views and that of a modern day conservative. For instance the modern conservative accepts that there should be no blockade of a women’s right to education. Plato would agree with this notion, as education is a way for women to separate themselves. It would seem just for women to advance into top placements in government based on merit.
It has been established now that guardianship should be gender natural based on Plato’s assertions. Plato goes on to discuss how the lifestyles of women should change if they are to serve in government. One shocking proposal from Plato is that “woman should exercise naked together with men” (452 A-E). This would never occur in that time period because of the differences in the social circles during Plato’s time. Plato’s time period was still very conservative and such behavior would not be tolerable. The main reason why it would be intolerable is because it would destroy the family
In the Republic the idea that the function of guardianship is to be performed by men and women alike is talked about. Through this paper I will make an effort to show how Plato argues to have women included in the guardian class and some contextual examples of their lives in that time period. This will give you the reader deeper understandings of the cultural norms of that time period extended to genders. In the time of Plato any entity that tried to change the traditional social norms that concerned the duties of man and woman was seen as a threat to society. In Athenian society the function of the wife was to remain private. Her duty was merely to serve the family. According to Plato the ‘biological difference between …show more content…
To counteract this statement he does mention that in some ways women are better at many things than men. There is really no rational reason as to why women cannot serve in government positions.
As one analyzes Plato’s argument about woman in government you do see a parallel between his views and that of a modern day conservative. For instance the modern conservative accepts that there should be no blockade of a women’s right to education. Plato would agree with this notion, as education is a way for women to separate themselves. It would seem just for women to advance into top placements in government based on merit.
It has been established now that guardianship should be gender natural based on Plato’s assertions. Plato goes on to discuss how the lifestyles of women should change if they are to serve in government. One shocking proposal from Plato is that “woman should exercise naked together with men” (452 A-E). This would never occur in that time period because of the differences in the social circles during Plato’s time. Plato’s time period was still very conservative and such behavior would not be tolerable. The main reason why it would be intolerable is because it would destroy the family