Plato's Philosophy on State and Society in The Republic

Running head: PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PHILOSOPHY
Plato has discussed about the state in his famous piece The Republic. This book aims at
providing a proper idea of the condition of the states and how the states have come into
existence. He has also found out some ways to explain the policies the states should follow in
order to achieve the trust and faith of the people in the state. In this essay, the ideas of state by
Plato would be revealed (Cornford: 25). The two worlds by Plato are very crucial forms of the
world that have been revealed. Many critics have discussed over this fact a number of times.
These two worlds include the world of Forms and the world of the Appearances. The divisions
within the society are also something that should be dealt with much seriousness. Plato has
revealed the fact that there are three souls within the society. These souls have led the human
beings to divide the society. Another topic to be discussed in this essay is to look at desire of
wealth as a primary reason for the war. The nature of the noble Guardian will also be highlighted
in this essay as well. All these topics are related to the topic of Plato’s description of the republic
in a general manner. The society is a vast institution that has been looked upon by the
philosophers in different manners. In the republic, the concept of justice is also a very crucial
part of the discussion. Therefore, all these topics would be discussed as a part of the portrayal of
the republic by Plato.
Thesis statement: The stance of Plato in the Republic is a very efficient one to discuss about
the condition of the states and the responsibilities of the common people in the state. The
difference between the society and the philosophers and the divisions in the society has also
worked as a problem to construct the society in the best possible manner.
Plato was a very eminent philosopher who had been largely influenced by the theory of
the human nature as propagated by Pythagoras. As per the notions of Pythagoras, human nature
can be divided into three sections (Cornford: 25). These are based on elements like courage,
reason and appetite. Plato has opined the fact that the state can be considered as a living body.
Therefore, it is also true that an individual represents his society and surroundings at a small
level. Similarly, the state also presents all these features at a larger level. A state is basically
composed of several classes (Baltes: 26). Therefore, these classes are the basic parts of the state
and the state is nothing without all these classes. These three classes are the ruling class,
professional class and the military class. He has also specified some responsibilities that could be
effectively attributed to these classes. The role of the ruling class is to run the administration of

2PHILOSOPHY
the state as they are highly educated. The professional class is the class that runs the daily
common affairs of the state. People and critics have always held his philosophy on the political
stances in a high regard. The description of the state or the polis has been depicted in the book
the Republic in a grand manner. This is most probably the very first political philosophy that can
be traced (Altman: 34).
The justice is the main talking point for Plato has always been on the ideal state. This is
why he has stressed on the issues that have disturbed the condition of the society to be precise.
Plato has argued in favor of an ideal state where the establishment of peace should be the
ultimate purpose (Baltes: 26). However, in some cases, peace has not been taken care of in the
proper ways in the states. It is because of the wars most probably. Wars take place in the world
because people are not at all happy with their present condition. They continuously crave for
more wealth. They are not at all satisfied with what they have. Rather they want everything to go
in a smooth manner. Justice is probably the most crucial thing that he has always focused on
when forming a state (Basil and Randolph: 27). This is the thing that needs to be given the
utmost importance for everyone. The kings or the administrators have the responsibility of
ensuring justice in the states. If people do not get the justice in the states they live in, it will be
very hard for them to have faith in the administration of the state. Plato always believed that
justice is something that everyone deserves and this should be delivered to everyone. People who
are deprived of justice will feel very insecure (Ritter: 28). Plato opined that the main purpose of
the federation or the state should not be on the solution of the racial issues but the administration
should solve the injustice i.e. served on the people of the state.
Plato was determined to provide the justice to all the people in the state. Rather he
wanted to give compensation to everyone who has not been given the justice. This is why it was
very much important give the compensation as per the capabilities of the state (Basil and
Randolph: 27). He also wanted the state to ensure that no one would interfere in the affairs of
each other. Peace keeping should become the main agenda for all the states. Therefore, the
importance of a united society was very much needed. Plato noticed that the societies were
getting divided into different sections. This was probably the result of the lack of leadership
(Kraut: 29). Plato gave his statement on the fact that a philosophical king or philosophical leader

3PHILOSOPHY
should always be the best choice for the selection of a king. In this manner, the absolute
monarchy should be established. It would give away the best room for the success of the state.
Everyone should be given their dues and they must not suffer. The successful
administration lies in the fact that all the people in the state should enjoy all their facilities.
Therefore, the philosophical kings will be at the top of the state with their best governing
strategies. Another important thing must be revealed in this paper (Kraut: 29). Plato had
effectively designed the ideal state with the concepts of communism. He believed that a state
could only be ideal if it did not have any problems (Friedlander: 36). The state should always be
a super-most powerful institution where all the people would be very happy to live. If any kind
of problems would come up, everyone would join hands to curb the issue. There should be no
enmity and no problems should be left unattended (Silva and Yrjönsuuri: 22). This is how the
states can progress and maintain a good position in the world. In the words of Plato, the ruling
class and military class do not have to worry about their food and appetite. It is because the
ruling class represents the reasons and the military class represents the state with the utmost
courage (Altman: 34).
The responsibility of running the administration depends solely on the administrators.
Besides Plato, some other critics have also questioned in favor of the ruler or the king of a state
being a philosopher. It will really be very much helpful for him. It is because the rulers will be
able to know about the things that cause problems in a state. The states should always be free of
any dangers or threats (Friedlander: 36). Otherwise, it would cause big troubles when they
confront with other states. The expert critics are also of the opinion that a peaceful environment
among the people of the country should always be there. Otherwise, an environment of war and
conflict will always be there (Bloom: 33). It has been found out by Plato that the economic greed
of the different classes, especially ruling class, will create large problems in the future. The main
purpose of the state will always be on maintaining a good environment in the world. They should
not engage in the conflict situations whatsoever (Silva and Yrjönsuuri: 22). Rather they should
keep a good relationship among them so states do not intend to destroy the economic resources
of each other.
In an ideal state, the gender equality should always be maintained. Without this, it will
almost be impossible for the state to improve their conditions. The states will need to make the