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Plato's Just City

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Plato states, “Therefore, isn’t it appropriate for the rational part to rule” (Republic IV 440e-442a). What it means for one part of the soul to rule the others is for the entire soul to pursue the desires of that part lusts for. When a soul is ruled by spirit the entire soul's desire is to achieve honor. In a soul ruled by appetite, the entire soul wishes to fulfill these appetites, such as food, material goods, or wealth. In a just soul, the soul’s function is entirely toward fulfilling whatever rational desires reason produces. Because that part of the soul is wise and for the spirited part of the soul to be its ally and obedient. Both these two classes have been well educated in music, poetry, and physical training. And with spirited part’s …show more content…

Where a select few govern over the many. Plato describes four constitutions that result from people with certain characteristics rule. Each constitution, there is a type of soul that corresponds to that specific constitution. Plato defines the source of change for the just city as the failures of the ruling class. More specifically their failure to carefully monitor the begetting of children. Plato states, “through the ignorance of these births….the children will be neither good-natured nor fortunate” (Republic VIII 546c-546d). Future generations will fail to reproduce leaders who are philosophically adept leaders. He explains that these children who will be selected as guardians will have less consideration for education (Republic VIII, 546d-546e). So if the city becomes lax on breeding, they will also be lax on …show more content…

First, they’ll spend money from the treasury on themselves and create laws to protect them from punishment (Republic VIII, 550d-551a). The oligarchy is dominated by the appetitive part of the soul. The city then praises the rich and makes them rulers. Plato mentions the main faults of this constitution, the first being that rulers are not chosen by their wisdom, but their wealth. Second is that this will create two cities one rich and one poor. The city is split and each group plots against the other (Republic VIII, 551d-551e). Third, they will be ineffective to raise an army because they are afraid of arming the populace. Many in the city are driven to utter poverty while a few thrive. This then leads to the lower class revolting and they install a democracy. Lastly and most dangerous people are not part of a class and have no role. The oligarchic man has evil intention, but it is held back because he is afraid of losing his

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