ROCKVIEW UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
NAME : MWALE VENANSIO
COURSE : PA 212
LECTURER : SAMBOKO
INTAKE : APRIL 19
PROGRAMME : BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH EDUCATION
STUDENT NO. : 20190537
DUE DATE : 18TH SEPTEMBER 2020
MODE OF STUDY : DISTANCE
RESIDENTIAL : SEPTEMBER 2020
ASSIGNMENT : 1
QUESTION : C ritically analyze Plato’s justification of rule
by philosopher kings
A Greek philosopher, is one of the most creative influential thinkers in political
philosophy. This outstanding Greek philosophers has left behind many important works,
out of which ‘the Republic’ is of great interest to all those interested in the history of
political ideas. Plato has been credited for laying the foundations of the Greek political
theory, as he explored, analyzed and covered a wide range of philosophical perspectives
and issues. In his philosophy Plato gives a prominent place to the theory of the
philosopher ruler. ‘Philosopher king’, the idea according to which the best form of
government is that in which philosophers rule. The ideal of a philosopher king was born
in Plato’s dialogue Republic as part of the vision of a justcity. In this essay, will
critically analyze Plato’s justification of rule by philosopher kings
Blackburn (1996) the existing states were imperfect because philosophers were not rulers,
which is why Plato gave the idea of philosopher king. The theory of the philosopher ruler
was the linchpin of Plato’s Ideal State. It was derived from the conviction that the
philosopher had the knowledge, intellect and training to govern. Ruling, like any other
task, required skills and qualifications, and its aim was the general well-being of all. A
good ruler was one who not only preserved the lives of his subjects, but also transformed
them as human beings.
Enomah, (2016) the philosopher ruler was the right person to govern, for he would be
less enthused about acquiring power for self- prestige. Plato took the idea of philosopher
king from Socrates, who on the insistence of Glauconde fined a philosopher as one who
loved wisdom, had a passion for knowledge, and was always curious and eager to learn.
On seeking clarification as to whether theatre fans and music lovers qualified, Socrates
underlined that a philosopher was the one who loved truth.
A philosopher by his grasp of the Idea of Good was best qualified to rule, implying that
knowledge could be obtained only by a select few who had the leisure and the material
comforts. Plato shared the general Greek perception that leisure was essential for the
pursuit of wisdom. A philosopher would be able to administer justice and act for the good
of the community (Enomah, 2018). He would have a good character, a calm disposition
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and astound mind. He would have the qualities of a ruler, namely truthfulness, high-
mindedness, discipline and courage.
Undaunted by death, and being a lover of truth, he would be honest and forthright. He
would not be petty or mean, being above physical and material pleasures. Devoid of
emotional ties and economic considerations, he would be public-spirited and wise. Plato
insisted that politics and philosophy ought to be safe for one another.
Philosopher ruler would make a wise legislator and frame laws in accordance with the
Idea of Good (Bello, 2000). For Plato, an Ideal State ruled by the philosopher ruler was a
divine institution perfectly worthy of emulation and imitation. Political philosophy
became practical enterprise, in which various possibilities of establishing a good society
in light of the philosopher’s vision of Good was the aim. The Idea of Good was the
highest form of knowledge. It could be compared with the Sun, for it illuminated all
intelligible and knowable things.
Njoya (20O7) Plato’s rationale for conferring absolute power to the enlightened
philosopher ruler was essentially to achieve two unrelated aims. The first was to avoid
tyranny and caprice, the second being the welfare of the community. Strict control over
education, family life, and property and living arrangements ensured that the ruler did not
become self-serving, imperious and dictatorial. Plato was confident that austerity and
self- denial would lead to the cultivation of temperance and endurance, making the ruler
selfless. He saw philosophic rule as being beneficial to both the ruler the subject. He was
confident that it would promote the happiness of the entire community. By happiness he
meant harmony, efficiency and moral goodness.
Although Plato’s theory of theory the ideal state in his socio-political philosophy is
laudable there some elements in it that are outrageous and impracticable, and if applied
could usher in dictatorship, tyranny, insensitivity, slavery, revolution, suicide, frustration,
and pessimism. For instance, not having families and children of their own could make
the guardians (political rulers) become dictators, tyrannical, and insensitive, rather than
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applying compassion, discretion, and caution in certain circumstances. The experience of
family life is valuable and unique and no amount of philosophical knowledge can supply
for it or alternate with it. Virtues of compassion, discretion, justice, mercy, e.t.c. that are
indispensable variables for excellent and successful political leadership are better
acquired through informal family experience rather than any formal education. Similarly,
Plato’s proposal of hereditary class distinction can lead to slavery, violation of
fundamental human rights, revolution, suicide, frustration, and pessimism. For instance
the children of the artisans (common people) becoming artisans themselves is a mark of
injustice to them and the denial of their fundamental right to self-esteem, dignity, and
growth. Hereditary class distinction will inevitably lead to disastrous consequences of
revolution, slavery, pessimism, frustration, and suicide (Nyong, 2016). Rather every
person should be given the opportunity to rise to leadership or any higher position in the
society.
Plato denied the participation of the average person in politics and decision making
processes (Apologun, 2003). By discounting the opinion of the average person, Plato
tried to play safe and prevent any opposition, criticism, dissent or even disobedience. He
justified it on the grounds that these lead to factionalism and particularism, whereas a
good society should promote the common good. Plato rejected majoritarianism and
popular participation on the grounds that the ordinary person did not have the capacity to
comprehend absolute truth and Idea of Good. Plato’s arguments were similar to those
who advocate army rule in contemporary times.
In conclusion, Plato was the first systematic political theorist, and a study of the Western
philosophical tradition begins with his masterpiece, the ‘Republic’. The ‘Republic’ dealt
with the question of establishing Ideal State. In answering this question, it focused on the
qualities of the ruler and gave the notion of ‘Philosophical Ruler’ for the same. The
theme of Plato's social and political thought, especially of the ‘Republic’ was that
philosophy alone offers true power-it also is the way to knowledge. The philosopher
knows the forms, the ideals. He alone is fit to rule-those who are guided by reason and
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knowledge and alone should have the power. They alone are capable of establishing
justice.
REFERENCES
Apologun, S.S.S. (2003). Citizenship Education. Concepts, Analysis and Applications.
Warri; COEWA Publishers.
Aristotle cited Enomah, S. (2016). The Rudiments of Ethics-Moral Philosophy. Ughelli.
Kanbit Publishers.
Bello, A. (2000). Introduction to Logic. Ibadan: University Press
Blackburn, S (1996). Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy. New York: Oxford University
Press.
Enomah, S. (2018). “Epistemology and the Nigerian Polytechnic Education” in
International Journal of Innovative Development and Policy Studies
www. Seahi Publications, 2018 www.seahipaj.org
Enomah, S. (2018). “The Nature of Philosophy and the Nigerian Polytechnic Education”
in International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities
www. Seahi Publications, 2018 www.seahipaj.org
Njoya, A.O. (20O7). An Evaluation of Plato’s Concept of Justice. Bodija, Ibadan: Being
an Essay Submitted to the Department of Philosophy, Seminary of
Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, in Affiliation with the
University of Ibadan, in Partial Fulfillments for the Award of a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy.
Nyong, D (2016). The Rudiments of Ethics-Moral Philosophy. Ughelli. Kanbit
Publishers.
