Many books have been written throughout the course of
history. Some have been acclaimed as influential,
few have gained the status of
immortal. Among these immortal books lies the
Western Canon, a list of
philosophical
writings hailed as essential in forming a philosophical background. One such writing is
Plato’s The Republic.
On the surface, The Republic seems to have been written by Socrates, Plato’s teacher. However, at the time
of its creation, Socrates had been dead, put to death by the same city he spent his life instructing. Plato wanted to
keep the memory of Socrates alive by using him as the main character. To do this, Plato wrote this dialogue as
Socrates asking his followers questions aimed at defining justice. Plato develops what he believes is justice through
the answers provided by the students. In order to develop the idea of justice he first formulates a perfectly just
society by using Socrates’ method of question and answer.
This perfectly just society has three castes forming a pyramid. The base of the pyramid, constituting the
majority of the society, is the producers. This element of society followed nothing more than their desires. These
people would go about their daily lives as doctors and merchants, buying and selling products and services. They
would perform one job, and one job alone. This job would be what they were naturally suited for, what they had
an aptitude for, such as farming or building. A doctor would not be found building a house or farming. Instead, he
would stick to healing. This he saw a just, everyone doing what they were best suited for. In all other aspects the
producers would live their lives very similarly to the present American social system.
The rest of the population made up the Guardian class. This was the educated class. They were taken from
birth and educated in the right modes of music, logical thinking, physical conditioning, and given a formal
philosophical background. For years, the guardian class would receive a formal education. The city would provide
them with their basic needs. They would be provided shelter in the home of a citizen. They would be given enough
food to sustain them. However, they would not lead a luxurious life. Luxuries would deter them from the proper mind
set that Guardians should have. Guards were not to be after possession, but personal pride. Therefore, only their
most basic and simple needs would be provided for. In order to procreate, the city would host a sort of breeding
festival for the Guardians to produce children at as high a caliber, thus providing the city with another generation of
Guardians. As their education progressed, those who appear to devote their lives toward furthering justice would
be placed in the highest caste, that of the philosopher king. The remaining in the guardian class would form the
Auxiliaries.
The Auxiliaries simply would carry out the orders of the Philosopher Kings. They were the soldiering class of
the city, protecting the city from all outside enemies. A majority of their training would be physical. However, they
would not stop educating themselves in the hope of one day becoming a philosopher king.
The Philosopher King was at the top of society’s pyramid. He was there, not because he wished to rule,
instead he was there because he did not want someone of less intelligence ruling over him. There was also an
aspect of personal pride and respect. A philosopher king was never after money, luxury, or outside recognition. He
was not one who would be after prizes, trophies, or awards. Instead, a philosopher king ruled so that an idiot would
not rule him. He ruled for the personal feeling of doing a good job.
With this setup and class system, many believe that Plato favored a utopia. This, however, was not his plan.
Instead, Plato defined justice. This system of government provided a just system. The elements and ideas in the
dialogue can be applied to everyday life. With this in mind, a reader can utilize this to live a just life in an otherwise unjust world.
Another topic worth mentioning is Sigmund Freud’s idea of the id, ego, and superego. When Freud’s ideas
are placed next to Plato’s system of government in The Republic, they are identical. The id becomes the producers,
the ego is the Auxiliaries, and the superego is the Philosopher King. Thus, Plato’s ideas have made their way in to
modern thought. However, these ideas are definitely not followed in today's world. Plato hails the intellectual ruler
who is after nothing but personal pride. With campaign finances what they are, the election of George W. Bush to the Presidency, and the fact that Colin Powell will not become a leader one can see how little Plato’s ideals are adhered to.
Plato’s thoughts might not be followed, but they still exist, and are studied by many intellectuals. Many people read and re-read his dialogue. In fact, because of its immortal basis in philosophy, it has been placed in the Western Canon, the list of writings that most western thinkers study to get a broad philosophical background.