platos ideal society

A detailed Summary of platos ideal society

To fully understand the social and political thoughts of Plato, it is best to refer to The Republic, which was written by Plato. The book spells out the goal of society as well as a blueprint to follow to obtain this goal. In this book Plato describes a perfect society; one where everyone lives harmoniously and without the fear of violence or material possession. To understand this utopian community we must look at several areas of it separately. The first we will examine is the purpose of the community. Secondly we will look at the abolition of private property among the ruling class. Next to study is the abolition of the family system. Finally we will examine the opposition to Plato's perfect society.

You may be asking yourself, "Do you really need a purpose for a perfect community?" The answer to your question is "Yes". People have tried for centuries to make the "perfect" government; democracy, socialism, communist, monarchy, but all have failed to achieve perfection. In Plato's utopian society, one would not worry about money, violence, or anyone trying to get ahead through devious ways and this is his purpose.

This is where governments have failed in the past. Plato holds that

believes that they should have no personal property. "The overcoming of selfish interests is regarded as most necessary for those who are to have the charge of the welfare and governance of all other citizens, quite apart from the fact that they are best equipped to overcome them" (Okin p30). If this element of selfishness is driven out of the ruling class, this would turn their focus, from attaining property to what is more important; the well being of the state.

because some people are better nurturers, they are better suited to raise the children. In this society, you will not have children to call your own or a wife to come home to. This is because they are seen as possessions of the male figure. Everyone would live in a communal society, much like military barracks. Reproduction is done in a manner not usually seen. Once a year or so, men and women are matched up through a rigged lottery system. The chance of who you mate with is supposed to be random, however most would be matched up by looks and the task you are best suited for (i.e. If you are an attractive male farmer, you are best suited to reproduce with an attractive female farmer). This may seem like a very weird way of doing things, but taking the aspect of small family systems out of the community will lead to a large family where everyone feels accepted.

Looking at the state of today's society, it is hard to believe that a goal such as Plat

Some common words found in the essay are:
Guardians Plato, Social Contract, Ideal Society, Yes People, John Locke, ruling class, perfect society, plato believes, Juaque Russeau, private property ruling, abolition family system, social contract towards, plato's perfect society, private property, property ruling, plato believe, utopian community, today's society, property ruling class, utopian society, plato's perfect,

Approximate Word count = 958
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History