Socrates Vs Plato
The Republic, by Plato discusses human morality and the difference between justice and injustice. Socrates is challenged by his peers to explain his views on the topic, which he claims that being just is the function of the soul. He is then confronted by more students who suggest that unjust humans have a better life than those who are just. To respond to this Socrates decides to create a city called Kallipollis in order to demonstrate why being just is beneficial to everyone in a society instead of just the weak. The Kallipolis is to be divided into three parts, the masses, the auxiliaries, and the rulers. These three separate sects will allow the city to run efficiently and to its highest potential. Each class will represent a different part
…show more content…
The philosopher proposes that in order to ensure that the guardians of the city have no self-interest, they will be educated and brainwashed to believe that their purpose in life is to serve the city. He plans to convince the guardians that, “It is impious for them to defile their divine possession by possessing an admixture of mortal gold, because many impious deeds have been done for the sake of the currency of the masses.” Socrates believes that humans are not naturally greedy, so by telling the guardians that they possess a divine spirit from the gods it will prevent them from taking actions to enhance their own social standings. A society in which the higher classes, such as the auxiliaries and rulers, look to improve the city and serve the masses is one that is undeniably ideal, as often individuals with power use it for selfish means. To establish who will be the rulers Socrates suggests that he wants the “best of the guardians” to be rulers and believes that, “A person would care most for what [they] loved…and [they] would love something most if [they] thought the same thing were advantageous…we would choose the men who seem… to be most inclined to do what they believe is advantageous for the city.” In deciding who will actually get to ascend to the ruler class, Socrates will choose those who demonstrate the most love for the city, and a propensity for doing what is right for the masses. These individuals would be trained in the ways of politics and brainwashed into completely believing that what is best for the city is best for themselves. The rulers of the Kallipolis would hold no ideologies except a belief that their purpose in life was to serve the city and this is extremely ideal for the masses and overall health of the society. A city where the guardians and rulers put their own egos aside to correctly represent the inhabitants is an ideal
The philosopher proposes that in order to ensure that the guardians of the city have no self-interest, they will be educated and brainwashed to believe that their purpose in life is to serve the city. He plans to convince the guardians that, “It is impious for them to defile their divine possession by possessing an admixture of mortal gold, because many impious deeds have been done for the sake of the currency of the masses.” Socrates believes that humans are not naturally greedy, so by telling the guardians that they possess a divine spirit from the gods it will prevent them from taking actions to enhance their own social standings. A society in which the higher classes, such as the auxiliaries and rulers, look to improve the city and serve the masses is one that is undeniably ideal, as often individuals with power use it for selfish means. To establish who will be the rulers Socrates suggests that he wants the “best of the guardians” to be rulers and believes that, “A person would care most for what [they] loved…and [they] would love something most if [they] thought the same thing were advantageous…we would choose the men who seem… to be most inclined to do what they believe is advantageous for the city.” In deciding who will actually get to ascend to the ruler class, Socrates will choose those who demonstrate the most love for the city, and a propensity for doing what is right for the masses. These individuals would be trained in the ways of politics and brainwashed into completely believing that what is best for the city is best for themselves. The rulers of the Kallipolis would hold no ideologies except a belief that their purpose in life was to serve the city and this is extremely ideal for the masses and overall health of the society. A city where the guardians and rulers put their own egos aside to correctly represent the inhabitants is an ideal