WESTERN

PHILOSOPHER
PLATO
BY ZOHAIB BURKI
PA K I S TA N I N S T I T U T E O F C O M P E T I T I V E S T U D I E S
INTRODUCTION

 He was born in Athens in 428/27 BC

 His original name was Aristocle

 Athens culture was flourishing at that time

 He was student of Socrates and that’s why he did not like democracy
because his teacher was killed by the democratic government of Athens

 Virtue is knowledge the controlling thoughts of his philosophy which he

got from Socrates
HIS WORK

1) Apology

2) Charmides

3) Protagoras

4) Symposium
5) Phaedo

6) The statesman

7) The laws

8) The Republic
PLATO IDEAL STATE

Introduction:
 Plato was a pupil of Socrates and Socrates was killed by the
democratic government of Athens so he did not liked democracy

 During his life time Athens politic was corrupt

 There was no peace and justice in the country

 In order to remove the evils from society, plato in his “Republic” construct
ideal state as the remedy.
COMPARISON OR ANALOGY

 Plato built his whole idea of state on the basis of analogy. Plato
companied ideal state with human body

 According to plato state is a natural institution because it reflects the

structure of human nature

 On the basis of this analogy plato builds his ideal state with the help
of his state regulated education system, new social order(communism) and specialisation.
SALIENT FEATURES

1) Rule of Philosophy:
one of the most important feature of plato ideal state is that only
intellectual person should rule philosopher King to
plato was a true stateman, who represent virtue in action.

2) Specialization:
Specialization is also the important feature of ideal state. Plato
theory of specialization is one man one work. Plato says
that it is necessary for efficiency, justice and harmony in the state.
3) Non-Interference:

Non-Interference of one class in the affairs of the other class.

4) Absolution:

Absolute power to the philosopher rules.

5) Equality:

Perfect equality between male and female.

6) Communism:
Plato advises a new social order for his ideal state. The social order
is the communism of wives and property.

7) Justice:
Plato builds his ideal state on the concept of justice. To plato justice
means that every person should be given the opportunity to work
according to his ability and aptitudes.
8) Aristocracy:
Another feature of plato’s ideal state is the rule of aristocracy. He
says that the ruling class should consist of few able and intellectual
person.

9) System of Education:
Plato advises a state regulated education system. His education
means for both genders/Sex and is compulsory.
10) Restriction on Harmful Art and Literature:
In constructing his ideal state, plato suggests that some portion of
poetry and art should not be taught to the philosopher rulers and
soldiers because it will make them coward.
CRITICISM

1) Impracticable:
Plato’s ideal state is depicted as a city in the heaven which is
unreasonable on earth.
2) Wrong Comparison:
Plato comparison between three elements of soul with three
classes of people in the state is wrong.
3) Lack of Interest:
The study of ideal state reveals that the life of the people is
unattractive. They have to lead a very dull life.
4) Defective Scheme of Education:
Plato education Scheme confines an individual to single function in
life.
5) Anti Democratic:
His ideal state is anti-democratic. He advocates absolute rule and
neglects basic human rights.
6) Neglect Character:
Plato over emphasises intellect and under emphasuses /under
estimates the character of an individual.
7) Against Human Nature:
Plato’s communism is against human nature. Men have always felt
the need of private possessions and family.
8) Neglection of family:
Plato totally neglects the importance of family. Family is the first
basic school for children where they learn many habits and
character.
 Specialization Non-Interference Absolution

Rule of Philosophy IDEAL STATE Justice

Aristocracy System of education Equality Restriction on

harmful art &
literature
 Wrong Comparison Lack of Interest Defective Scheme of Education

Impracticable CRITISM Anti Democratic

Neglect character Against Human Nature Negation of family