Plato's Political Thought (Fall 2024) PDF

Badr University in Cairo School of Political Science and International Relations Political Thought Fall 2024 Dr Aliaa Wagdy Aliaa Wagdy 1 Lecture 2 Plato Aliaa Wagdy 2  Plato ▪ A Greek Philoso...

Badr University in Cairo School of Political Science and International Relations Political Thought Fall 2024 Dr Aliaa Wagdy Aliaa Wagdy 1 Lecture 2 Plato Aliaa Wagdy 2  Plato ▪ A Greek Philosopher. ▪ He was also a mathematician. ▪ Writer of philosophical dialogues. ▪ Founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. ▪ Student of Socrates, and mentor of Aristotle, the three of them are founders of Western philosophy. Aliaa Wagdy 3  Plato Socrates: ▪ Good character is a gift from the gods. ▪ Knowledge is a matter of recollection, not of learning. ▪ Knowledge and art are divine gifts. Aliaa Wagdy 4  Plato Socrates: Wisdom is knowledge of the good and the right dealings. A philosopher has a moderate love of wisdom and the courage to act wisely. Aliaa Wagdy 5  Plato Plato’s views on state and government: The Republic The Laws The Statesman Aliaa Wagdy 6  Plato The society has a tripartite class structure Productive Protective Governing Aliaa Wagdy 7  Plato Socrates: Wisdom is knowledge of the good and the right dealings. A philosopher has a moderate love of wisdom and the courage to act wisely. Aliaa Wagdy 8  Plato: Ideal state system Plato rejects Athenian democracy. Only few are fit to rule; the wise men. The education system should be set up to produce philosopher kings. Aliaa Wagdy 9  Plato: The ideal state system Types of Government: o Aristocracy: Rule through the best o Oligarchy: Rule through the few (wealthy) o Democracy: Rule through the people o Tyranny: Rule through one person Aliaa Wagdy 10  Plato: The ideal state system Which is better: Tyranny or bad democracy? Aliaa Wagdy 11  Plato: The ideal state system Democracy Equality of opportunity / Freedom Disagreement chaos Tyrant restores discipline Aliaa Wagdy 12