Plato: Father of Political Philosophy
427 BC- 347 BC
Date: 29 April, 2020
By: Dharmendra Yadav
By: Dharmendra Yadav
Plato belonged from Athens. The father of Plato was Ariston, who was descended from the King of Athens. On the other hand, his mother was Periction, was related to famous Athenian Lawmaker Salon.
Peloponnesian War- This war happened between Sparta and Athens. In this war Sparta defeated Athens.
The Peloponnesian war left a deep impact on the life of Plato. He wanted to know the reasons for the decline of Athens. He wanted to make Athens an ideal state. According to him the root cause of a problem in Athens was corruption.
The Peloponnesian war left a deep impact on the life of Plato. He wanted to know the reasons for the decline of Athens. He wanted to make Athens an ideal state. According to him the root cause of a problem in Athens was corruption.
Bronze Sculpture of Plato
What is Corruption?
Corruption is the use of Public office to get private benefits. The use of Public office for which it should not be used comes under the garb of Corruption.
According to Plato, Ignorance is the root cause of Corruption.
So, He gave a proposal of the Institution of Philosopher King. He said, “Until Philosophers are the rulers or rulers learn the philosophy there is no end to the predicament (Problem) of Human life.”
According to Plato, Ignorance is the root cause of Corruption.
So, He gave a proposal of the Institution of Philosopher King. He said, “Until Philosophers are the rulers or rulers learn the philosophy there is no end to the predicament (Problem) of Human life.”
Plato’s Perspective
Plato is an idealist. He thinks what ought to be there rather than what is there in reality. He was a Utopian, Radical (who was looking for far-reaching changes), and a Feminist.
We see a transition in the ideas of Plato:
1. Plato’s Republic: This is a work of Plato when he was young.
2. Statesmen: It is a book of Plato in transition.
3. The Laws: This is a work of Plato when he was mature.
We see a transition in the ideas of Plato:
1. Plato’s Republic: This is a work of Plato when he was young.
2. Statesmen: It is a book of Plato in transition.
3. The Laws: This is a work of Plato when he was mature.
Plato’s Methodology
Plato used the Deductive method. It is a method in which the conclusion is already in your mind of a theme or a project. In this method, a scholar looks for instances to support his views. This is a biased method.
Dialectic method: It is a method in which dialogue/debate is used for gaining knowledge and arrives at a conclusion. This method was devised by Socrates, the Teacher of Plato.
Dialectic method: It is a method in which dialogue/debate is used for gaining knowledge and arrives at a conclusion. This method was devised by Socrates, the Teacher of Plato.
Influences on Plato
Following are the people who influenced the views of Plato:
1. Pythagoras: He was a famous mathematician. He gave the principle that the Universe is based on some mathematical principles. He also told about the importance of Geometry for the ruling class.
Theory of Soul was influenced by Pythagoras.
2. Heraclitus: According to him, change is the characteristic of the world in which we live.
3. Parmenides: He gave the idea of Permanence. There is continuity as well as a change in the world.
4. Socrates: Plato considered himself as the disciple of the Socrates. He considered Socrates as the wisest man on this earth. Plato was influenced by Socrates Theory of Knowledge, his method of dialectics and events of the life of Socrates.
Socrates was ordered to drink poison. He had the opportunity to escape. But he chose to die for his principles. When Socrates was ordered to drink poison at that time there was democracy in Athens. That’s why Plato hated democracy.
The impact of Socrates was too much in the life of Plato. He developed his Theory of Ideas based on Socrates Theory of Knowledge.
1. Pythagoras: He was a famous mathematician. He gave the principle that the Universe is based on some mathematical principles. He also told about the importance of Geometry for the ruling class.
Theory of Soul was influenced by Pythagoras.
2. Heraclitus: According to him, change is the characteristic of the world in which we live.
3. Parmenides: He gave the idea of Permanence. There is continuity as well as a change in the world.
4. Socrates: Plato considered himself as the disciple of the Socrates. He considered Socrates as the wisest man on this earth. Plato was influenced by Socrates Theory of Knowledge, his method of dialectics and events of the life of Socrates.
Socrates was ordered to drink poison. He had the opportunity to escape. But he chose to die for his principles. When Socrates was ordered to drink poison at that time there was democracy in Athens. That’s why Plato hated democracy.
The impact of Socrates was too much in the life of Plato. He developed his Theory of Ideas based on Socrates Theory of Knowledge.
What is Plato’s Theory of Soul?
According to this theory, the Universe has two parts-
1. Physical or Material
2. Spiritual
Human beings are also part of this Universe. Human beings also have two aspects- Physical and Spiritual.
Every person has a soul. Every soul has 3 elements-
1. Persons in whom reasons dominate, he called them men of Gold.
2. Persons in whom courage dominate is men of Silver.
3. The person in whom Appetite dominate is men of Copper.
1. Physical or Material
2. Spiritual
Human beings are also part of this Universe. Human beings also have two aspects- Physical and Spiritual.
Every person has a soul. Every soul has 3 elements-
- Reason
- Courage
- Appetite (Passion/Natural desire)
1. Persons in whom reasons dominate, he called them men of Gold.
2. Persons in whom courage dominate is men of Silver.
3. The person in whom Appetite dominate is men of Copper.
Statue of Plato
What is Plato’s Theory of Ideas?
“Reality is the shadow of Ideas.”
Plato wanted to make Athens an ideal state. To make an ideal state, we should have an idea of an ideal state. An idea can be understood only through the use of reason. Philosophers have a reason. So, Only Philosophers can establish an ideal state. Thus Theory of idea justifies the institution of Philosopher King.
Plato wanted to make Athens an ideal state. To make an ideal state, we should have an idea of an ideal state. An idea can be understood only through the use of reason. Philosophers have a reason. So, Only Philosophers can establish an ideal state. Thus Theory of idea justifies the institution of Philosopher King.
According to this theory, the knowledge about the physical world (World of Appearances) is not true Knowledge. True knowledge is Permanent. It does not change. The physical world keeps changing. We cannot have permanent knowledge of the things which are changing.
Hence Plato suggests to go beyond the world of Appearances and to understand the essence (idea). Essence or idea does not change. It is permanent. Hence, the knowledge of idea is permanent.
Hence Plato suggests to go beyond the world of Appearances and to understand the essence (idea). Essence or idea does not change. It is permanent. Hence, the knowledge of idea is permanent.
E.g. there are multiple varieties of cats. To understand cats it is important to have the idea of Cattiness.
Characteristics of the Idea:
Characteristics of the Idea:
- The idea is permanent.
- The idea is a perfect manifestation of the Physical form.
What is Plato’s Theory of Justice?
The idea of justice is the core concern of the political philosophy from Plato to Marx; Marx to Rawls and from Rawls to Amartya Sen. Plato has discussed the idea of Justice in detail. He discussed Justice in his book whose subtitle is “concerning Justice”.
According to him:
- Justice is a duty.
- It is a virtue, whose objective cannot be harming anyone.
- The laws of the state are for the welfare of all.
- It is better to be just rather than unjust.
- Justice leads to Peace harmony and excellence.
- Justice can never be based on the principle that might is right as it will lead to conflicts and disorder.
Plato’s idea of Justice came from God’s idea of justice. According to him, God’s idea of justice comes from the soul as it is made by the god himself. The state is the larger form of soul. He wanted to show that the state should be divided into 3 classes:
Hence we can understand from his theory that he talks about a situation of idealism. This theory cannot be utilized in the contemporary world.
- The ruling class- Man of Reason
- Soldier class- Man of Courage
- Producer class- Man of appetite
Hence we can understand from his theory that he talks about a situation of idealism. This theory cannot be utilized in the contemporary world.
What is Plato’s Theory of Education?
Plato has dealt the subject of Education in so exhaustive way that Rousseau called Republic as the best book in the field of Education. According to him, education is the method by which the appetite of a person is known and the ideal state is established.
He combined the good features of Athens and Sparta in his theory of Education. Education must have a holistic view.
He combined the good features of Athens and Sparta in his theory of Education. Education must have a holistic view.
- Primary Education (0-6 Years): Gymnastics, Music and Moral stories classes for character building.
- Secondary Education (6-18 years): Basic knowledge of different subjects. First screening test at this stage. Those who will pass will go further studies and others will join Producer class.
- Senior Education (18-20 Years): This is a stage for compulsory military education. At this stage there will be a second screening test, those who show aptitude will be promoted and others will join Soldier class.
- Higher Education: This stage was divided into 2 parts:
i. First stage: 20-35 Years of age. Philosophies and dialectics will be thought.
ii. Second stage: 35-50 Years of age. Life experience will be thought at this stage and the age of 50 people will get a certificate of Philosopher and is eligible for becoming King.
ii. Second stage: 35-50 Years of age. Life experience will be thought at this stage and the age of 50 people will get a certificate of Philosopher and is eligible for becoming King.
According to him, there will be no fight for power among the philosophers as they are wise men and when offered the position of the king they will reluctantly join the throne.
It is an ideal theory as the Philosopher who is reluctant to join the throne can never give good governance to the state. Moreover, there are other ways to check the disease of Corruption among the ruling elites. So there is no need of a Philosopher King.
It is an ideal theory as the Philosopher who is reluctant to join the throne can never give good governance to the state. Moreover, there are other ways to check the disease of Corruption among the ruling elites. So there is no need of a Philosopher King.
What is Plato’s Theory of Communism?
Communism is a way of life which rejects private ownership and supports common ownership. Plato proposes communism for the guardian class, which is the ruling class and the soldiers. As these people have the power to control society. According to Plato communism is not required for the Producer class as they are men of Appetite, who cannot control their lust for worldly pleasures.
Plato talks about Communism of property in which he says that the ruling class won’t be allowed to own property. The second communism is about the family. According to him, the family promotes corruption and Nepotism, so there should not be any private family and in place of that state should be a family.
The purpose of the family in Plato’s republic is Procreation. The state will bring the children under its custody. This will help in the non-discrimination of children by the ruling class. Moreover, women will also be free from child-rearing. So they can devote themselves to the state.
Aristotle criticized Plato and said that Private property is a source of motivation.
Aristotle criticized Plato and said that Private property is a source of motivation.
Plato as Feminist
Feminism is an umbrella ideology. There are many schools of feminism where the most important point is the concern towards violence and discrimination against women. The prime objective of Feminism is to end exploitation and to provide equality of status and opportunity.
There are various reasons why Plato was a Feminist:
There are various reasons why Plato was a Feminist:
1. He promoted equality of opportunity for women to become Philosopher Queens.
2. He also promoted equality of opportunity to women in the field of Education.
3. He is the first person who suggested that women don’t have any natural disability with respect to Politics.
4. Plato’s theory of Communism has a liberating influence on women as the state takes up the responsibility of a child. Many criticized Plato as a feminist and they say that he promoted women just for the sake of state service.
2. He also promoted equality of opportunity to women in the field of Education.
3. He is the first person who suggested that women don’t have any natural disability with respect to Politics.
4. Plato’s theory of Communism has a liberating influence on women as the state takes up the responsibility of a child. Many criticized Plato as a feminist and they say that he promoted women just for the sake of state service.
Plato as the Father of Political Philosophy
‘The entire western Political Philosophy is nothing but the footnotes of Plato and Aristotle.’- Whitehead
“One can either be platonic or Anti-Platonic but one can never be non-Platonic” – Karl Popper.
Plato is rightly called the father of Political philosophy as he rightly established that Philosophy is superior to Physics. He has given a theory of ideas which has established that the study of ideas is superior to study of matter. He showed that Philosophy is not just for the betterment of Philosopher but for the betterment of entire humanity.
“One can either be platonic or Anti-Platonic but one can never be non-Platonic” – Karl Popper.
Plato is rightly called the father of Political philosophy as he rightly established that Philosophy is superior to Physics. He has given a theory of ideas which has established that the study of ideas is superior to study of matter. He showed that Philosophy is not just for the betterment of Philosopher but for the betterment of entire humanity.
Criticism of Plato
Karl Popper calls Plato as the enemy of an open society. Open societies are places where democracy exists. Open societies allow freedom of speech and expression. His ideas are often compared with Totalitarianism. Scholars like Maxey calls Plato as Communist whereas Karl Popper calls Plato as Fascist.
Fascism and Communism are 2 forms of Totalitarianism. In Plato, we see a regimented society (State Control). People do not have rights. Only Philosopher kings have absolute powers. Hence scholars like Popper, Berlin called him as Anti-Democratic. Popper called him Anti Democratic because of his hatred towards Democracy.
Fascism and Communism are 2 forms of Totalitarianism. In Plato, we see a regimented society (State Control). People do not have rights. Only Philosopher kings have absolute powers. Hence scholars like Popper, Berlin called him as Anti-Democratic. Popper called him Anti Democratic because of his hatred towards Democracy.
