Plato, in his book the Republic proposed an idea of a Just City, which he believes is the best way to solve the issue of injustice in the society. My aim in this paper is to analyse the relevance of the Just City of Plate in our contemporary society. I concluded that; the Just State of Plato is relevant in contemporary society since it helps in solving the issue of corruption, favouritism and the empowerment of women to also rule. Edmund Husserl’s Phenomenological method was used.
At a glance
- Uses Edmund Husserl’s phenomenological method to evaluate Plato’s Just State
- 19 sources in the bibliography
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
CHATPER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER THREE
AN EVALUATION OF PLATO’S JUST STATE
3.1 THE JUST CITY
3.2 CRITICISMS OF THE JUST CITY
3.3 RELEVANCE OF PLATO’S JUST CITY
CHAPTER FOUR
CONCLUSION
Purpose and Themes
This essay critically evaluates Plato’s Just City and asks whether it remains relevant to contemporary society. It examines the City’s structure and principles, considers criticisms of their feasibility, and assesses their potential significance for present-day governance and social justice.
- Plato’s three classes and the division of social roles
- Common ownership of property, wives, and children
- Education and the rule of philosopher kings
- Equality, unity, and the role of women
- Criticisms concerning law, authority, and human nature
- Contemporary concerns including corruption and favouritism
Excerpt from the Book
RELEVANCE OF PLATO’S JUST CITY
The Just State of Plato which had been described and criticised in Chapters One and Two respectively, is of great relevance to the Contemporary society and its leader, though it is very difficult to implement and practice.
First and foremost, the Just City of Plato is a means to solving the problem of corruption in our Contemporary society. Corruption I believe is a tool that help in the promotion of injustices in our society. This is because, one tries to gain from the other before doing something for him irrespective of the person’s qualifications or ability. However, with the abolishing of private properties among the rulers of today, there will be a reduction or a total abolition of corruption. Since no leader is entitled to personal property, he will not be led to accumulate properties in an unsuitable manner.
The issue of favouritism where leaders select their friends and family members to occupy top leadership position will also make the Platonic State to be relevant in our society today. How? The Just City of Plato, will help fight against this, since the Ideal State would not give room for leaders to select people of their preferences or political affiliations as seen in our societies today. Relatively, in the Ideal State, people who are well fit to do the job are selected rather than selection based on favouritism.
Again, corruption and favouritism are the root causes of under-development in our societies especially Africa, since they do not allow those suited for the job to be given the chance but rather based on taking of bribe, family and friendship.
The Just City would prevent individualism where everyone focuses on himself and how he can gain for himself alone rather than the State. How will the Just City help in checking this? With the abolishment of private ownership of properties; the leader will not be interested in gaining for himself alone since it will be against the law for him to own anything for himself or his family.
Though each individual is born into a family, the need for abolishing the family system among the ruling class of the contemporary era, is of relevance. When the family system is abolished, it will give the leader the full capacity to have time for the State alone rather than his wife and children alone which is the first loyalty of a husband. Hence, giving the leader the time to have the State at heart.
Chapter Summaries
CHAPTER ONE: Introduces the problem of injustice and presents Plato’s Just City as a proposed response. It outlines the essay’s aim and its plan to examine the City, its criticisms, and its contemporary relevance.
CHATPER TWO: Reviews Hegel, Strauss, Annas, and Klosko on the ideal state, including its political structure, feasibility, unity, and contemporary significance.
CHAPTER THREE: Evaluates Plato’s Just State by explaining its features, discussing criticisms, and considering its relevance to contemporary society.
CHAPTER FOUR: Concludes that Plato’s ideal remains relevant despite difficulties in implementation, highlighting its proposed contributions to justice, women’s empowerment, and opposition to corruption.
Keywords
Plato, Just State, Contemporary Society, Corruption, Philosopher King, Private Property, justice, equality, women, education, specialisation, division of labour, favouritism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this essay about?
It critically evaluates Plato’s Just City and considers whether its ideas are relevant to contemporary society.
What are the essay’s central themes?
Its themes include social classes, shared property, education, philosopher kings, women’s roles, equality, corruption, and political authority.
What is the main research question?
The essay asks whether Plato’s Just City is relevant to contemporary society, despite being difficult to implement.
What method does the author use?
The abstract states that the essay uses Edmund Husserl’s phenomenological method.
What does the main chapter examine?
Chapter Three describes the Just City, considers criticisms of it, and evaluates its contemporary relevance.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Plato, Just State, Contemporary Society, Corruption, Philosopher King, and Private Property.
How does the essay connect Plato’s proposal to corruption?
It considers whether preventing rulers from owning private property could limit the accumulation of wealth and corruption.
Why does the essay discuss women’s participation in governance?
It argues that women should have opportunities to lead and contribute to the transformation of society.
- Quote paper
- Winfred Dzikunu (Author), 2019, Evaluation of Plato's Just City, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/492186
