Greek philosopher Plato and his important work “the Republic (380 BC)”, is of perennial interest to all those interested in learning the history of political ideas in the context of modern world. Plato’s work is not limited to in just conceptualizing the disorders and threat to political systems, but he rather envisions a desirable political order.
The Republic, in Greek meant “justice”. The central question of the republic was the meaning of justice or right conduct or morality. It seems, Republic opens with discussion between Socrates and Cephalus about old age and wealth. Cephalus, old and prosperous, points that money did not buy him happiness but it helped him to lead a life with comforts without a sorrow. Such a state enables person to do what is morally right. As per Cephalus justice is telling the truth, being honest and paying debts. Socrates dismissed the idea of honesty to have any power to create the better order and justice, instead he explained sometimes concealing the truth does better than revealing it.
Plato came with aristocratic background. Plato’s ideas come across anti-democrat as he makes a case the order can be maintained by a few with privilege and the ones gifted with esoteric wisdom. Aristotle was critical of Plato’s ideas of philosophers to be rulers. This was dangerous as it prevented opportunity for ambitious to rule. Aristotle pointed politics is not merely about the rule of capable. For a stable state, it is necessary to accommodate aspirations of all claimants. As opposed to rule by the perfect person Aristotle preferred constitutional rule that ensured periodic rotation of office bearers [1]. He was afraid of aristocratic monopoly could result in revolution and believed object of legislation should be happiness of all.
Like Plato, Aristotle asserted that education was an effective way to produce political unity[2]. The” Republic” details politics and its associated social institutions empowered to help individuals to attain excellence and perfection. This leads to formulating ideas around education being the important mechanism to create a society with order. However, if farmer and soldier were to receive similar education, how they would be educated to perform their different function for the society. At the same time, if they were offered job specific training how education could unify and equalize the city, because the task of education is to inculcate moral, social and civic qualities in person to build a society that follows a common rule.
According to Aristotle, human being is naturally social and would form partnerships to attain greater good. The nature of these collaborations is fueled by not only for meeting economic needs but realization of full human potential with the help of socio-political associations.
As per Aristotle Self-sufficiency and self-governing state of polis is possible only if political units were large enough to be self-sufficient and small enough to be able to be governed, by which families could attain happy and honorable life. Aristotle acknowledged the natural inequality of human beings, yet he believed there are areas of commonality as everybody aims to attain same virtues and economic needs. Although functional categorization is necessary as everybody has different capacities, the hidden manifestation of equality in ordinary interaction among citizens is necessary for the success of order. In modern context it is called as “Rule of Law”
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