The 21st century marred by war and conflict; whether political, economic, or class based. Conflicts have an ability to highlight what we see to be just or unjust, and does it truly matter if we are just? The Republic, Plato brings question the definition of justice, rustling the possibilities of what justice as well as the utility and desirability of justice. The United States maintains a unique ideology of exceptionalism that its citizens often see to be just in nature, but how does it match up to Socrates’ required virtues of wisdom, appetite, and spirit? This world that I live in, this nation, that seems to be embroiled in controversy, can I claim I live in a just United States of America? Socrates says that the guardians rule through their wisdom, which was acquired in their childhood through a diverse education, “our children’s games must from the very beginning be more law-abiding, for if their games become lawless, and the children follow suit, isn’t it impossible for them to grow up into good law-abiding men” (Book IV 424e-425a). According to Socrates, the state is influenced by the childhood a community provides and that if children are raised without regard to the law they will manifest this lawlessness in their leadership. Much of Washington is the byproduct of a time when corporations and the state were becoming intertwined, and laws being manufactured to favor one’s agenda. So a congressman can follow the law, but not concern himself with the balance of his
The essay is based from a time periods in the U.S where the culture was changing rapidly, governments fighting in the name of honor despite citizen’s outcry towards moral conduct. The essay represents this idea and advertises that peace is the ultimate
In his philosophical text, The Republic, Plato argues that justice can only be realized by the moderation of the soul, which he claims reflects as the moderation of the city. He engages in a debate, via the persona of Socrates, with Ademantus and Gaucon on the benefit, or lack thereof, for the man who leads a just life. I shall argue that this analogy reflecting the governing of forces in the soul and in city serves as a sufficient device in proving that justice is beneficial to those who believe in, and practice it. I shall further argue that Plato establishes that the metaphorical bridge between the city and soul analogy and reality is the leader, and that in the city governed by justice the philosopher is king.
The structure of our government is complex. With local, state, and federal levels of government, it can be confusing to understand how the government works. Luckily, Morris Fiorina wrote a document about the structure of the government called The Rise of the Washington Establishment. The Washington establishment simply refers to big government workers such as, included but not limited to, house representatives, senators, congressmen, and party leaders. These legislators and bureaucrats are the ones who run the government and establish laws. In his document, Fiorina argued that these people are in office only for personal gains. He strongly focused on congress, in which he believes they act in favor of their reelection. Power, money, and insurance benefits are the main influences that motivate congressmen to hold their position. Governmental representatives are supposed to reflect the values of the people, but they ultimately act in a selfish manor. The Rise of the Washington Establishment analyzes how congressmen act for their own self-interest.
“Knowledge about the inner life of the governmental community of Washington becomes imperative for understanding the political system of the new nation.” ( Young p.108) The Constitutional Framers envisioned a national government that is similar to the concept of Plato's cave which is that it would be "at a distance and out of sight" of the everyday affairs and thoughts of ordinary Americans. The end result, it was anticipated, would be a new form of "national" and "long term" thinking by men of prominence, motivated only by their devotion to a national public interest and legacy. The constitutional framers wanted “The people to elect good men.” (Federal Farmer No.9, p.27) The Washington Community or “the original beltway boys” had an
“The performance of our federal government could hardly be any worse than it is today” (Douglas). The Land of Liberty’s current government is one of the worst of all its time. How so? According to many professional writers, the United States government has become extremely dysfunctional over the course of the last few years. Those credible writers all agree that polarization and tribalism affect politicians and citizens. Thus, creating a dysfunctional Washington.
While, many of these discords were experienced since the beginning of time as he states “Even God’s chosen people were plagued by secession in the promised land, which resulted in strife and ultimately, war” (McClure 1886), it is poignant that not much has changed. However, as mentioned in our presentation “Ours is an exceptional nation of a self-governing people in a fallen world dedicated in the pursuit of liberty and equality” (Bringing it all together 2017). Ultimately, she is incomparable to any other, which is why the United States of America will always be a leader of nations that will continue to set the precedent for other
The Great War of Our Time was a pleasure to read. It was an emotional ride for me throughout the entire book. It made me laugh out loud; giggle to myself, tear up, become upset and sometimes it caused a pleasant grin to grow across my face. From the beginning of this book to the very last page, I thought was an easy read.
Alexis de Tocqueville published Democracy in America in 1835 and examined the democratic revolution; he references to American Exceptionalism and the five characteristics that make America “Exceptional”. Similarly, the 1950s in America was recognized for its highs and lows. Even with the economy was booming, it was known as an era of great conflict (History.com Staff). In the 1950s, Tocqueville’s five characteristics of American Exceptionalism are invalidated; liberty was not attainable due to the Cold War policies like McCarthyism, racism, such as the massive resistance of integration, disproved egalitarianism, conformity, in the suburbs and women’s lives, throughout this decade refuted individualism, populism was belittled with the
beacon of liberty. We utterly reject “My country right or wrong”—what scholar wouldn’t? But in
Washington and somewhat the country have transformed into a government by oligarchy. Where unelected bureaucrats or “experts” skirt the law to tell the American people what is right and fair.
Like other ancient philosophers, Aristotle and Plato had two different conceptions of the state, justice, and politics. They both lived in Greece but had different points of views on the natural of all citizens and how citizens were capable of being perfect in the state. Surprisingly, the same debates that guided Plato and Aristotle’s work remain with us today. What is a good citizen? What makes a good man? Justice? Society? Moreover, the question is why they had different views on the same perspective that has helped shaped many governmental rules and societies.
More than two-thousand years have elapsed since Plato wrote what many consider his most famous work, Republic. To this day, students and scholars alike grapple with the challenging philosophical issues presented therein. The thematic crux of the work lies in the nature of justice. In defining this slippery concept, Socrates details the structure and workings of what he considers a truly just city, the kallipolis. There are those who would say that this kallipolis may be equated to a utopia, an ideal society; however, I intend to illustrate a much divergent point of view. The justice of this city, made analogous to the justice of the individual, is specifically what precludes the kallipolis from being an ideal society. For this
Plato’s interpretation of justice as seen in ‘The Republic’ is a vastly different one when compared to what we and even the philosophers of his own time are accustomed to. Plato would say justice is the act of carrying out one’s duties as he is fitted with. Moreover, if one’s duties require one to lie or commit something else that is not traditionally viewed along with justice; that too is considered just by Plato’s accounts in ‘The Republic.’ I believe Plato’s account of justice, and his likely defense against objections are both clear and logical, thus I will endeavor to argue his views as best as I can.
Justice and discussion as to what it actually is presents as one of the major themes in Plato’s Republic. Plato defines justice as the highest virtue in a state, built on principles of good. Just society is the one, in which everyone fully realizes abilities given to them by nature and rightly practices those abilities and nothing else. Justice is closely related to the person and the ideal state, tying them together. “Justice is a virtue of a soul” (R. 353e) and just like how there are three
Within two classical works of philosophical literature, notions of justice are presented plainly. Plato’s The Republic and Sophocles’ Antigone both address elements of death, tyranny and immorality, morality, and societal roles. These topics are important elements when addressing justice, whether in the societal representation or personal representation.