Plato, in his book the Republic proposed an idea of a Just City, which he believes is the best way to solve the issue of injustice in the society. My aim in this paper is to analyse the relevance of the Just City of Plate in our contemporary society. I concluded that; the Just State of Plato is relevant in contemporary society since it helps in solving the issue of corruption, favouritism and the empowerment of women to also rule. Edmund Husserl’s Phenomenological method was used.
Table of Contents
1. CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
2. CHATPER TWO
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
3. CHAPTER THREE
3.1 AN EVALUATION OF PLATO’S JUST STATE
3.1.1 THE JUST CITY
3.1.2 CRITICISMS OF THE JUST CITY
3.1.3 RELEVANCE OF PLATO’S JUST CITY
4. CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper critically evaluates the relevance of Plato's concept of the "Just City," as outlined in The Republic, to contemporary society, specifically focusing on its potential to address modern issues such as systemic corruption, political favoritism, and gender inequality.
- Analysis of the structural components of Plato's Just State (class system, noble lie, and communal property).
- Examination of the role and education of the Guardian class within a balanced society.
- Critique of the practical limitations and philosophical contradictions inherent in the Just City.
- Exploration of women’s empowerment and their potential contribution to political governance.
Excerpt from the Book
Education of the Guardian Class
In the Just City of Plato, education of the guardian class also forms part of the attainment of the Just City. As Plato claimed that “the state depends on the Guardians education and stands or falls with it” (423). This in my opinion means; without the right education given to the ruling class, the city cannot stand or survive. In view of this, from 376b till 412b, Socrates looks at the education of the Guardian class. He proposed an education in gymnastics for the bodies and music (poetry) for the soul (376e).
In the education of the guardian class in poetry, which he began with; he suggested ten ways in which poetry should be taught to the Guardians in order to guarantee the education of the Guardian. Firstly, Socrates believes poetry should present the gods as good and only as cause of the good (379a).The presentation of the gods as good and only cause for the good; Pappas argues that; “Plato did to correct their (gods) errors since the poems of Homer and Hesiod accounted for nearly all”. Also, it should present the gods as unchanging in form and as beings who refrain from lies and deception (380d-383a). This in my view, Plato did to instill into the younger ones a sense of trust in the gods.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: Provides an introduction to the concept of a just life and society, outlining Plato’s theory of the Just City as a response to systemic injustice.
CHATPER TWO: Conducts a literature review of key philosophical perspectives, including works by Hegel, Strauss, and Annas, regarding the viability and ethics of Plato's state.
CHAPTER THREE: Offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Just State, detailing its class structures, educational requirements, and the criticisms surrounding the Philosopher King.
CHAPTER FOUR: Concludes that despite practical difficulties, the ideals of the Just City offer significant value for contemporary societal reform, especially regarding anti-corruption and women’s empowerment.
Keywords
Plato, Just State, Contemporary Society, Corruption, Philosopher King, Private Property, Justice, Guardians, Women's Empowerment, Education, Governance, Communism, Ethics, Division of Labour, Political Philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper is an ethical and political evaluation of Plato’s theory of the "Just City" as presented in his famous work, The Republic.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the structure of an ideal society, the elimination of corruption through the abolition of private property, the role of education for leaders, and the integration of women into political governance.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to analyze the relevance of Plato’s ancient ideal of a "Just State" to modern challenges like government corruption, favoritism, and social inequality.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The author utilizes Edmund Husserl’s Phenomenological method to examine and interpret the structures of Plato's Just City.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the features of the Just State (classes, noble lie, ownership), the training of the Guardian class, a critique of the Philosopher King, and an assessment of the model's modern-day applicability.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Philosopher King, Just State, Corruption, Contemporary Society, and Women's Empowerment.
Why does the author advocate for the abolition of private property among the rulers?
The author argues that removing private property prevents the ruling class from prioritizing personal wealth or family interests over the welfare of the state, thereby mitigating corruption.
How does the author view the role of women in the Just City compared to contemporary society?
The author supports Plato’s idea that women share the same nature as men and should have equal access to leadership roles, citing contemporary figures like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to demonstrate women’s capability in transforming society.
- Quote paper
- Winfred Dzikunu (Author), 2019, Evaluation of Plato's Just City, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/492186
