Political science:

Western political thoughts:

Plato:

1: Introduction:

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher and a major figure in the development of Western culture. He
was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle.

He was born in Athens, Greece, around 427 B.C.

2: WORK: His work, "The Republic," remains one of the cornerstones of Western political
thought. "The Republic" presents Plato's vision of an ideal state. The Socrates not wrote
anything. Rather the Plato who was his pupil wrote Socrates’s philosophical concepts, so
this book in actual a reflection of both the teaching of Socrates and Plato.

3: Early life and family: His father was died when he was young. His mother married his uncle,
Pyrilampes, a Greek politician and Ambassador to Persia. It believed that he had two brothers, one
sister and one half-brother.

4: Major events of Plato life

There are two major events of Plato life that set his course of life.

a) Meeting with Aristotle

Socrates’s methods of dialogue and debate impressed Plato so much that he soon become the pupil and
close associate of Socrates and dedicated his life to the question of virtue and the formation of Nobel
character.

b) Peloponnesian war

Second major event was war between Athens and Sparta, in which Plato served for a brief time
between 409 and 404 B.C.E. The defeat of Athens ended its democracy, which the Spartans replaced
with oligarchy. Two of the Plato’s relatives, Charmides and Critias, were prominent figures in the new
government and part of notorious Thirty tyrants whose brief rule severely reduced the rights of
Athenian citizens. After the oligarchy was overthrown and democracy was restored, Plato briefly
considered a career in politics.

5: Execution of Socrates

After the execution of Socrates in 399 B.C.E. soured him on this idea and he turned to a life of study and
philosophy. (After the execution of Socrates, he started to remain depressed, Socrates execution made
him highly grieved and deprived, he left politics and started career in philosophy).

6: Resolution in Plato’s life after Socrates death

After his death, Plato travelled for 12 years throughout the Mediterranean region, studying the
Mathematics with Pythagoreans in Italy and geometry, geology, astronomy and religion in Egypt.

7: Academy the first school

Around 385 B.C.E., Plato founded a school of learning, known as academy, claimed as first ever school,
and presided (It means to exercise guidance, control, or direction. It can also mean to occupy a position
of authority, such as a chairman, president, or moderator) over till his death.

8: Concept of Ideal state

In his “Republic” book Plato portrays ideal state. He considered ideal state as the panacea (solution or
remedy for all difficulties or diseases) for the crisis. According to him ideal state was ruled by
philosopher king. In the portrayed of ideal state, he went where reasons led him. He cared little whether
such a state can ever exist since he wanted to give the best state, he cared little whether it was only
utopia cut off from the reality. His model meant to be a model for all times and all places.

These are following characteristics of ideal state described by him.

i) About king
The philosophers could only be the king of the state.
ii) Division of society
he divided the society into three categories
a) Philosophers or rulers
b) Forces or warriors
c) Workers

One division not have to interfere into other division. Some people have better aptitude
for certain things depending upon the predominance of a particular element. They show
greater efficiency in those things which are after there nature. This depends upon the
predominance of that particular element in their soul.

The soul consists of three elements: reason, spirit and appetite.

d) Appetite: it is irrational, and an ally of pleasure and satisfaction from which spring love,
hunger, thirst, and other desires.
e) Reason: It is great insofar as it guides right action and creates bonds of union between
members. It helps man know the right path.
f) Spirit: it is midway between the two comes. It represents chivalry, honor and pride.

All these forces are present in all individuals. However, they differ in dominance, one of
them is always dominating the other. And the other two are always subordinate. In a society
one should be categorized according to their dominating characteristic. So, in this order,
rulers’ class has reason in predominant. Warrior have spirit and workers have appetite.

iii) Division of labor

Everybody cannot meet all his wants and desires for lack of time and capacity. He has
therefore, to depend on others. Mutual cooperation is essential for human beings. So, a
socially resting upon the division of labor is expression of man’s nature. In this way, people
come closer for the satisfaction of their reciprocal needs and form a state.
iv) Justice in society

He gave utmost important to justice, he considered justice is important pillar in the society.
Justice means the efficient performance by the individual of his allotted task in the society.
 Plato advocates that class must be confined (restricted in area or volume) to their own
specific functions to the state. This principle of specialization must be applied so as to
prevent artisan from working in any other field of state. The classes would not be compelled
to perform the tasks which are the proper functions of the artisans (a worker in a skilled
trade, especially one that involves making things by hand).

If people mind their own business and do not meddle (interfere in something that is not
one's concern) with the affairs of other, justice in the state will prevail (prove more powerful
or superior or persuade (someone) to do something).

v) Theory of education
Education is important for both male and female. According to Plato, every individual must
realize and devote himself to perform the duty allotted to him. It could only be realized only
through state-controlled system of education. He therefore placed main reliance upon
education. The attached paramount (more important than anything else; supreme)
importance to it. Plato’s state is so striking (something is noticeable, remarkable, or
outstanding) that some philosophers call it to be the chief topic f the “republic”.
Rousseau said “republic” is hardly a political word at all, but it is the finest treaty on
education that ever was written.
Important for both sexes
Elementary education was open to all
At the end of elementary education, a test would conduct. Those eliminated, formed the
economic and producing class. They are not fit for higher education.
a) Aim of education:
The aim of education in this way to make an individual a complete personality, a dutiful
citizen and an able, efficient and public-spirited administrator. The purpose of education
is to develop character and to train the mind.
2nd aim was to set the curricular of education to the stage of intellectual growth of the
pupil.
b) System of the education
Two parts
1 Elementary
2 Higher

1: Elementary education

Begin at three

Ends at twenty

Divided into three sub-stages

First stage: extends 3-6 years, in this group, children are imparted (bestowed a quality
or make informative known) education through the narration of mythological stories which
includes certain moral and religious truths

Second stage: extends 7-18 years, they were given the lessons of gymnastics in reading
and writing, taught music, poetry and mathematics.
 Third stage: extends from 18-20, training in more gymnastics

2: Higher education

1st test: Eliminating test at the age of twenty.

Not qualified: Failed will become low rank soldiers and warriors

Qualified: While the intellectually brighter are selected for carrying on the work of
statecraft.

2nd test: At the age of thirty another test was conducted.

Low graded: Those who secure less distinguished positions, enter the administrative
positions as auxiliaries (a group of volunteers giving supplementary support to
an organization or institution)

High graded: Those who secure superior positions in that test, continue the study for
another 5 years in Dialectics and later in ethics.

At the age of 35 years those who successfully complete their advanced are assigned civil
and military administration positions for fifteen years.

This period of fifteen years is thus apprenticeship period.

At the age of 50, those who have demonstrated real ability and served with genuine
distinction become the ruling guardians from here emerges the idea of
philosopher king.

vi) Rule of philosophy

In this way, the people who have got education up to 35 and training for another period of
fifteen years were become the philosopher-rulers.
As doctor diagnosed the right disease in patient, the philosopher ruler is intellectually so
efficient to so whatever he considered fit and necessary.

Criticism to education

a) Education coexisted with life

The guardians have no time for anything but to acquire education throughout his life. Education
curriculum insufficient for ruler. Education will produce ideal philosopher but not ideal men of
action.
b) He proposes censorship (the suppression of speech, public communication, or other
information) against modern beliefs
Plato’s scheme will only hamper (restrain, to moderate or limit the effect or full exercise of) the
growth of literature and intellect and minimize the influence of literature.
c) Graft of Spartan over the Athenian system defective
The Athenian system had created many philosophers like Socrates and Plato himself. While
Spartan system did not produce any. (Athenian education focused on artistic and political
matters whereas Spartan education was primarily concerned with military service and physical
prowess)
 d) System of indoctrination
(a complex teaching system that uses authority to close off a person's mind to new knowledge
and understanding) Plato’s system suits more the authoritarian rather than the democratic
regimes.

Theory of communism:

a) Communism of property

Guardians were as such not have any property. Everything provided by the state. Plato truly
believed that the philosopher-ruler who was given the monopoly of political power would
become corrupt and demoralized if economic powers were placed in his hands.

b) Communism of family

He not only abolished private property for his classes but denied them family also.
According to Plato, the children and wives are the source of personal attachment and
affections. He advocated state-controlled system of mating. Only the suitable parents would
be mated. This is necessary with a view to produce the best type of children. Plato fixes
even age limits within which mating would be allowed.

Criticism

But the ideal state as portrayed by Plato has been described as only a utopia, impossible of
putting into reality. Such a state has never existed in the history and never shall come to
existence. His theory of ideal state has been subjected to various point of criticism as

a) Ideal state a myth

A myth by modern social thinkers.

They hold that the conception of society must have a scientific foundation.

A metaphysical or mystic religious interpretation of society is nothing but abuse and

unreasonable.

b) Watertight compartmentalization impossible

Plato commends the division of society on the basis of functional specialization. But this
watertight compartmentation is impossible of realization in view of the complex personality
of an individual and the changing circumstances.

c) Founder of totalitarianism

Plato due to his conception of ideal state, is said to be the founder of totalitarianism. He
gives all the powers in the hands of philosopher ruler.

d) Narrow conception of education

The platonic conception of education is narrow to the extent is obliviously (in a way that
shows you are unaware of something, especially what is happening around you) meant for
the guardian classes. It gives no scheme for the education of economics or producing class.
 e) Deplorable (afsosnaq)(deserving strong condemnation; completely unacceptable.)
disbelief in the capacity of masses

Plato disbelief in the capacity of masses to rule themselves is highly deplorable.

f) Philosopher ruler identifies self-interest

The single or a few philosopher-rulers are more likely to identify their self interest with the
public interest as man is after all man. Armed with unchallengeable power he is likely to
stabilize his own position and power.

g) Philosophy and kingship cannot go together

Administration requires practical insight into the complicacies whereas philosophy leads to
abstract contemplation (the action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time)

Sabine …. Ruler of saint

h) Educational curriculum insufficient for ruler

the absence of the study of the military training, law, etc., would hamper his ability as a
ruler. Mere philosophy is not match for the difficult and intricate (very complicated or
detailed) task of the government.

i) Communism of wives impossible

It will only debase the ages old institution of marriage which is the greatest link of human
associations.

Aristotle (384-322) B.C.E

Introduction

Ancient Greek philosopher

And scientist who is still considered one of the greatest thinkers in politics, psychology, and ethics.

When he turned 17, enrolled in Plato’s academy.

In 338 he began tutoring Alexander the great who was later become the king of Macedonia and
overthrown the Persian empire.

In 335, Aristotle found his own school, the Lyceum, where he spent most of the rest of his life studying,
teaching and writing.

His notable words in Nicomachean ethics, Politics, metaphysics, poetics and prior analytics.

Contradiction with Plato: Factors which influenced Aristotle

1) Aristotle association with Plato:

20 YEARS study in academy, which proved imp factor for in shaping his philosophy.
In following ideas Aristotle influenced by Plato:

Aristotle as greatest Platonist

Introduction

Although different in form, methods, details

But foster as greatest Platonist

It is no doubt Plato was idealist while Aristotle was actualist

But there is no denying the fact that in Aristotle’s philosophy ‘there is no page which does not bear
the impress of Platonism.’

Points:

1: concept of the state

State highest manifestation of man’s nature,

highest level of community,

man without state would no longer be a man but a beast

in concept of state, Aristotle like plato, could not get out of Greek world. The ideal before them was
the ideal Greek city-state.

Concept of family

Against: communism of family

But still influenced by plato in this respect

The state must regulate the marriage from the angle of age limit for both the sexes.

Regulation of population (control undue increase which can cause disharmony)

State should control the education of family

Concept of property

Criticize communism of the property

Similarities in: private property in common use

Not too much property under a single person, its accumulation promotes evil ideas

Property regarded as mean not end

He was not such as a socialist or not a capitalist

He plead that private property must exist but not unlimited.

Concept of justice

State is an association existing for a moral and intellectual life.

A life of common action is impossible without justice (same platonic idea)

Both aim at discovering unity and harmony

Both advocates giving his due in accordance with his capacity or nature

Concept of education

Aim ………… bring about virtue and happiness

The aim of education is not to introduce something new into the individual but its aim is to awaken
the sleeping faculties in man’s soul.

Training not only of body but also soul

Education to achieve these ends must be state controlled

Ideal state

he tried to construct the ideal state on the lines suggested by Plato in his “laws”.

He was convinced that ideal cannot be attained

He was more concerned with the idea of good state rather than formulating a hypothetical and
unrealizable perfect structure.

After different experiences and events Plato experienced a salutary effect on the view of Plato he
was by time gathering material and writing the laws in which he came nearest to democracy and the
rule of law.

ARISTOTLE WAS influenced more by 2nd concept of ideal state by plato which he represented in
“laws”. So, the idea of Aristotle ideal state would always be considered plato 2nd ideal state

Place of law:

An ideal state, must give supreme place to law instead of personal and despotic rule of the most
virtuous and leered person.

Conclusion:

Education by Aristotle:

VIEWS were different than his predecessor (both aim of education was to attain knowledge)

He believed in the purposefulness of education