In a message dated 3/6/2007 4:19:22 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, andrew.cady@gmail.com writes:
Plato's Republic was not essentially dissimilar to Soviet Communism; the main difference is that the Soviets at least payed lip service to democracy and the value of the working class. Russell on Plato:
It has always been correct to praise Plato, but not to understand him. This is the common fate of great men. My object is the opposite. I wish to understand him, but to treat him with as little reverence as if he were a contemporary English or American advocate of totalitarianism. [...]
But even if we suppose there is such a thing [in government] as "wisdom," is there any form of constitution which will give the government to the wise? It is clear that majorities, like general councils, may err, and in fact have erred. Aristocracies are not always wise; kings are often foolish; Popes, in spite of infallibility, have committed grievous errors. [...]
The problem of finding a collection of "wise" men and leaving the government to them is thus an insoluble one. That is the ultimate reason for democracy.
It's been a while since I read a good portion of Plato's book, _The Republic_, but I wouldn't say it ruled out democracy, only the problems with democracy, notably the lack of protection of minority factions including of the individual. Democracy and freedom are basically synonymous. However, I may mix classical and modern-political thought.
Please remember that (if we are to believe the dialogue) Socrates could have fled, but chose to drink the hemlock out of respect for the authority of Athenian government. Even where the state murders to censor critics, its dictates are not to be resisted. That is the mentality of Plato.
I won't touch on whether Athens was "true democracy."
Well, it was much more democratic than any institution today, a rule of 10 by 1.
I agree that Plato's republic was radical. Basically you wouldn't even have people raising their own children, and the children of those who were believed inferior would be quietly killed.
By that time, the world had experienced and was experiencing a republic, that of Rome, but I believe I've hit a wall.
Vincent <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.