Plato

(427-347 B.C)
Early life
Plato was born in Athens in 427 BC when the civilization of ancient Greece was at the zenith
of glory and eminence. He belonged to royal blood of aristocracy, from his mother’s side he
was related to Solan, the law giver. He studied for eight years with Socrates and on the latter’s
death he travelled for twelve years in Persia, Egypt, Africa, Italy and Sicily in the hours of
disillusionment, absorbing wisdom from every source and tasting every creedal dogma. Then
he returned to Athens and opened an academy. His academy became the best school in
Athens.

He made efforts to discover the eternal principles of human conduct i-e justice, temperance
and courage which alone imbibed the happiness to the individual and stability to the states.
In 399 BC, the turning point came in the life of Plato, the defeat of Athens by Sparta made
him to despise democracy.

Work of Plato

“The Republic” is the most important and authentic work of Plato. It was about political
philosophy, ethics, education and metaphysics.Other works of Plato include: “The Politicus”,
“The Apology”, “The Meno”, “The Protagoras”, “The Gorgias”, and “The Critias”.

The Republic and Plato

“The true romance of the Republic is the romance of free intelligence, unbound by
custom, untrained indeed by human stupidity and self will, able to direct the forces,
even of customs and stupidity themselves along the road to a national life.” (Prof.
Sabine)

The Republic is an excellent product of Plato’s maturity. It is a major contribution to political

philosophy, education, economics, moral aspects of life and metaphysics.

Plato’s Republic known as “Respublica” in Latin is translated from Greek word “Politeia or
Polity” which means a political constitution in general. It is an achievement of comprehension,
perfection and universality of thought. It presents a picture not of any existing state in Greek
but of an ideal state in which weakness of the existing states were to be avoided.

Rousseau said, “The Republic is not a mere work upon politics but the finest treatise
on education that ever was written.”

Main feature of the Republic is the virtue of knowledge. Plato was of the view that different
classes and individuals had different capacities for the attainment of virtues. The labor class
showed the least capacity. Philosophers were the best entitled to rule the state because of
their superiority in virtue. Plato considered justice to be the supreme virtue and his ideal state
be dwelt with it. We can say that the Republic is his master piece. Plato’s Republic is the
crowning achievement of art, science and philosophy.

According to Baker, “The mainspring of the Republic is Plato’s aversion to

contemporary Capitalism and his great desire to substitute a new scheme of
Socialism.”

Criticism
The Republic contains a good deal of criticism on contemporary institutions, opinions and
practices. The Republic represents a strong protest against the teachings of Sophists and the
existing social and political corruption.

Plato stresses that state should not be an assembly of corrupt and selfish individuals but be
a communion of souls united for the pursuit of justice and truth and also for the welfare of
the people.

Question 1: Describe and critique Plato's ideal state.

Question No. 2 Plato must have presented the ideal state. Write down
the details. Write Aristotle's critical views about it.
Question 3 Explain why Plato abandoned the imaginary reasons for the
ideal state
Answer
Plato’s theory of ideal state
In his book Republic, Plato outlines an ideal state that meets all kinds of conditions and the
requirements of time and place. Plato builds his ideal state on the basis of the similarities
between the individual and the state, according to which human being consists of the following
three things:
1. Reason
2. Spirit
3. Appetite
In Plato's view, the presence of the above three emotions is essential for the balanced
development of the individual, because Plato equates the state with the individual. Therefore,
he divides a state into three types of classes on the lines of these three human emotions: the
philosophical ruling, military class, and the workers.
Number one philosophical ruler
Plato gives the same place to the reason in humanity as he gives to the philosophical ruling class
in the state. He believes that the philosopher must be wise and brave for the ruler of the ideal
state. He says that unless political power and philosophy are alone in one person, evil cannot be
eradicated from the state.
Number two military class
In Plato's ideal state, the second class consists of military class. The work of this class is to protect
the state, which gives passion to the human body. The military class in the state performs the
same function as the spirit in human body. According to Plato, the military class is necessary to
maintain the integrity of the state. For the army, young men should be selected who know how
to fight naturally.
Number three Professional Workers
The third class of Plato's ideal state consists of laborers or workers. This class corresponds to
the element of hunger in the human body. This class is also very important for the existence of
the state as its workers and farmers provide the necessities of life for all the citizens of the state.

The division of government in ideal state

In his book Republic, Plato proposed the following three types of government for the philosopher king in
different situations:

1. Monarchy
2. Aristocracy
3. Democracy

Monarchy
According to the Plato, in the monarchy, the government is controlled by a single person called the king.
The king works for the betterment of the people, ignoring his personal interests. In monarchy, as long as
the ruler works for the welfare peoples, his government remains strong, but when he ignores the
interests of the people, then monarchy is converted into Tyranny.

Aristocracy
Aristocracy refers to a government in which the system of government is in the hands of a few nobles of
the society. These people collectively work for the betterment of the people and the country. but when
the ruling class in the aristocracy starts working for their personal interests, this government is called
the oligarchy. Such a government does not last long because the ruling class becomes embroiled in a
tug-of-war for personal gain.

Democracy
Democracy is a system of government in which power is in the hands of elected representatives of the
people who work for the betterment of the people. When these representatives forget the interests of
the state and starts working for her own ends, the country becomes chaotic, chaotic and lawless. Then
such a government is not called a people's government but an anarchy.

Main features of ideal state

• In ideal state the government is of the philosopher king.
• The ideal state education system is in the hands of the government which arranges
education and training for different classes.
• In ideal state, property and women are considered joint property of the state
• The ideal state has a system of division of professions according to which the state
consists of three classes, namely the ruling class, the military class and the working class.
• In the ideal state, men and women have equal status
• Art has no importance in the ideal state, its education has been discouraged

Criticism on ideal state

Plato's ideal state is confined to the siege of dreams and ideas and has
nothing to do with practical. That is why, after so long, it continues to
be criticized. According to pollack

The ideal state has the following shortcomings.

1. Similarities between the individual and the state.
Plato based his imaginary state on the similarities between the individual and the state, which is
wrong. The individual has a conscience, but the state does not have a conscience. The imaginary
state is divided into three classes according to the three elements of the human body. This
division is not natural.
2. Dictatorial government
The imaginary state is ruled by a philosophical king who is absolute in every way. There is no
pressure or restriction to keep him on the right path. injustice has thus been inflicted on other
classes and their avenues for development are limited.
3. The limited life of the individua
In Plato's ideal state, the individual is not allowed to do anything of his own free will. The door to growth
has been closed on it from the point of view of justice.
 4. Injustice of the working class

In an ideal state where intellectuals have been given a high position, workers have been given a high
status. Their job is only to provide the necessities of life to others.

5. Property and women's participation

Plato calls property and women joint property in his ideal state. This theory is against the principles of
nature. This not only shocks the concept of family but also affects state affairs and the ideology is
against nature.

6. Absence of constitution

In an ideal state, the formal constitution is ignored. Lack of laws and regulations leads to a lack of
discipline in the state.: No mechanism has been set up for the establishment of courts and punishment
of criminals.

7. The existence of slavery

Plato has failed to criticize slaves in his ideal state. He does not care about the education and training
of workers.

8. The relationship between ethics and politics

If there was no difference between morality and politics in the ideal state, it does not distinguish the
two from each other

9. Superiority over the role of intelligence

In Plato's ideal state, intelligence takes precedence over character. According to him, the ruling class
has the right to rule only based on intelligence.

Criticism of Aristotle on Plato ideal state

Aristotle criticized Plato's ideal state as follows
• In an ideal state there is an unjust society in which all rights and intentions belong only to
the ruling class. The majority working class is deprived of all privileges.
• The idea of an ideal state negates human traditions and values.
• Plato's idea of the state as such is dangerous because collectivism is the soul of the state.
• There is a need of property and family for the individual. It is necessary to live a good life.
It creates in man a time of generosity and hospitality.
Question number one: Explain Plato's theory of justice. Also write a critical
review of this theory.
Why does Plato's theory of justice differ from the prevailing ideology? Why did
he reject the prevailing ideology?

Plato theory of justice

For Plato, justice is a passion that pervades the heart of every citizen and helps every citizen to
focus on his duties and he does not interfere in the affairs of others in his own words,

Plato sees justice in a moral rather than a legal context and connects individual and social
aspects with it. From a social point of view, justice means that every section of society should
perform its duties and not interfere in the affairs of others.
Features of Plato’s theory of justice

• every member of the society should perform his duties and not interfere in the affairs
of others.
• all the people should take care of themselves in the society. This feeling will be less
and justice will be provided.
• natural principles are necessary to achieve justice.
• according to Plato, all individuals should perform their duties in a society based on the
principles of mutual aid. This behavior increases love.

Criticism on Plato theory of justice

Geographical division of the vast empire
Plato's proposal to divide the vast empire into different parts in order to achieve justice is
very wrong. It is unwise to divide the country in order to get justice. Such a center is weakened
and class problems can arise.
Proficiency in an individual's work
 In Plato's view, every person is born for a specific task and he cannot do any other task. In
practice, this has been proven wrong because it is often seen that some people do different
things with great enthusiasm. Some people work in the military, but they are also excellent
writers and artists. That's how some employees are great players
The theory of non-interference
Plato's theory of non interference is not applicable because the state has the right to monitor
the performance of different sections and issue necessary instructions to them and also
reprimand them if they do wrong.
Philosophical King
According to Plato, only the philosophical king has the right to rule. This is not only against
justice, but also establishes the dictatorship of a certain class in society.

Take a critical look at Plato's education system. Record in detail the

educational system that Plato proposed for the ideal state.
Plato’s Theory of education.
Plato attaches great importance to an excellent education system in order to
create an ideal state. In terms of education system, he accepted the influence of Sparta's
education system instead of the eighth. He says the education sector should be under the
control of the state as education promotes justice among the citizens and enables them to
perform their duties. The aim of education is to achieve good. In his famous book Republic, Plato
elaborated on his ideal state education system. The main purpose of Plato's education system
was not only to create a good citizen for the state but also to provide the ruling class with it.

Plato's education system is divided into phases. First, he recommends educating the child at
home until the age of seven. He says that for seven years the child should be told only moral
stories. He then divides education into two levels, elementary education and higher education.
According to Plato, education is very important for a child reveals them morality and they know
the truth. Plato emphasizes the beginning,

After home training, Plato taught music and gymnastics to the child for twenty years. The child
is then selected for higher education after a test where he is trained for 20 to 30 years in the
field of his choice. Thirty years later another test is conducted in which the successful children
are selected for the ruling class. And for 30 to 35 years they have been called the people of
scientific mathematics, logic and astronomy.

Stages of the education

Elementary Higher education
education
First phase Second phase Third phase
• 0 to 20 years • 20-35 years • 35-50 years
• 0-7 years moral • In this case, basic • At this stage
stories education will be mathematics,
• 16-18 (music, given, logic and astronomy, logic, and
gymnastic and philosophy will be philosophy are
literature) taught, and at the age taught.
• 18-20 (gymnastic) of 35, the test will be • At the age of 50, there
• Twenty years later, taken. Those who will be an
the first test will be succeed will qualify examination.
taken. Unsuccessful for the next stage, Successful
candidates will enter while those who fail philosophers will get
the working class and will join the army. the position of ruler
successful candidates
will be recruited into
the army.
Features of theory of education
State-sponsored education
The source of Plato's education system is the state. Of course, the government can better
manage the education of the people. Due to state control, education is neither a source of trade
nor a personal matter. Its purpose is the welfare of the people.
Achieving justice
The goal of this education system is to achieve justice. The goal is to equip the youth with moral
education and provide the ruling class with all the knowledge.
The purpose of education is the full development of the individual
Plato's education system aims at the full mental and physical development of young people.
Music and poetry education brighten people's minds. so teaching gymnastics helps keep people
physically healthy.
Escape from the educational traditions of Sparta
In Sparta's education system, the education sector was not under the control of any institution,
but everyone could buy the education they wanted for their children from the market. But Plato
has taken a revolutionary step by putting the education system under the control of the
government, which can lead to better training of individuals.
Women's education
Plato is the first political thinker to give women equal status with men. In his education system,
women can be educated alongside men. He is the first feminist.
The concept of higher examination
Plato introduced the concept of the first examination. The examinations of the present-day
university academic competition are a product of this concept. From the point of view of higher
examination, Plato provided a highly educated philosophical ruler for the state.
Criticism on Plato’ s theory of education
Education for a specific class
Although Plato did not forbid the workers from getting an education in his education system,
apparently this system was designed only to prepare the ruling class for the state. He has divided
the state into three classes and declared only the first two classes eligible for education but did
not write anything for the workers. In this way, injustice has been done to most of the
population and education has become limited instead of normal.
Ideal philosophical rather than ideal man
Plato's system of education makes an individual an ideal philosopher rather than an ideal
human being.
Deprivation of education
In this system, those who fail the examination held at the age of eighteen cannot continue their
education. This way they are deprived of education forever. This system prevents a large section
of the society from getting education.
Restrictions on art and literature
Plato's education system has a complete ban on art and literature. This ban is a total injustice
to subjects like art and literature.
just Imaginary Theory
Plato's education system is purely imaginary. This is unworkable due to its contradictions and
unnatural system.

Theory of communism
In modern times, communism refers to the principle of shared ownership. Plato also proposed
its ideas. Plato's imaginary state introduced a new social system in which both classes, consisting
of free rulers and soldiers, lived in special groups. To protect them from appetite, Plato
introduced the ideology of communism. Plato's collectivism completely ignores the individuality
of the citizen. He was not allowed to have a private property to keep away from personal
interests. According to D.R Bandari,

That is, there was a danger that private property would become individual and lead to a conflict
between the personal interests of the individual and the state. To avoid this confrontation, Plato
propagated communism. Plato divided communism into two categories
Communism of property
Communism of family
Communism of property
In Plato's Property Communism, both classes are prohibited from owning private property.
Plato's theory applies only to the ruling classes, such as the philosophical rulers and the military,
 while the working class is not affected through this. Plato organized property communism only
for the sake of protecting rulers so that political and economic power would not be
concentrated in one hand. According to Plato there should be no property for protectors, and
they should not have their own houses and land. He says,

He further says,
“The conservative class will be able to keep only as much property as is necessary for it and will
not belong to any superfluous property. He will not have a private house, nor will he have a
residence that requires his permission to enter. They will have to eat together at the same table
and will have to live with soldiers in tents they will not touch gold or silver, nor will they go to a
place where there is gold and silver. If they ever try to get a house or land, then they will not be
the protectors of the state.”

Criticism on theory of property’s communism

Half Communism
Plato's Property Communism is half Communism because it belongs only to the ruling class
and does not apply to the working class.
Unnatural theory
Plato's Communism is unnatural because everyone has their own desire to own the property
to which they have full rights so that their individuality and personality can be fully treated.
Formation of group system
Plato's ideology affects only the conservative class while the working class is free of it. In this
way, two groups emerge from this ideology. This trend is dangerous for the society and the
state
End of personal freedom
Plato's ideology of communism completely abolishes personal freedom, forcing everyone to
sacrifice everything for the state.
Extremist ideology
 Plato did not take any middle ground to achieve his goals but proposed extreme measures to
maintain the existence of the state. The solidarity of the state and the sentiments of its people
have been massacred.
Lack of coordination in politics and economics
According to Plato's theory, all power is in the hands of the ruling class, while the working class
is responsible for production.
The end of the colorful life
Plato's communism makes the whole system look like a state. Communism destroys personal
freedom and movement. In this way, life loses its color, and every kind of intention goes round
and round.

Family communism
Like property communism, Plato proposed the idea of family communism. In fact, this idea
existed before Plato, in Sparta, husbands handed over their wives to others so that more children
could be born.Plato's theory of communism consists of two stages: the first stage is the freedom
of women and the second stage is the reform of the marriage system. He says that first women
should be included in the social life and then a system of temporary matching should be
implemented for the ruling class instead of the practice of permanent marriage. He said that
different names of the opposite sex should be merged in the ruling class so that good children
can be obtained, and weak and useless children should be eliminated. According to Plato,

The children born from these landmarks will be trained in state nurseries. Parents will be unaware
of their children and children will not know their parents.

Criticism
The end of the family institution
Plato's theory family communism abolishes the institution of family
Ending family traditions
With the demise of the family institution, all family traditions also disappear. These traditions
include inherited family ambitions.
The negation of man's high position
 Plato in his theory gave women equal status with animals whose job it is to have children. In
reality man the noblest of creatures.
The end of the spiritual relationship
From Plato's point of view, people's lives have been turned into machines. All their affairs are
with a single program. The purpose of marital union is only to have children. This is a negation of
the human psyche because there is a spiritual relationship between a man and a woman
The unnatural environment of children
According to this view, the upbringing of children is the responsibility of the state. Children lose
the affection and love of their parents; thus their physical, mental and psychological
development remains incomplete.
Equal status for men and women
Plato has given women equal status with men in this theory. Men are many times better
physically and mentally than women in performing state affairs.