Guardians In Plato's Republic

Rulers seldom prioritize conditions which benefit those who are subservient to them, as personal advantage is a consistent ambition for those in power. In Plato’s Republic, when conversation leads to the description of an ideal city, Thrasymachus’ belief that rulers rule for their own advantage plays a key role in Socrates’ explanation of how to strategically educate an elite class of guardians whose virtue will be in governance and supervision of society. Education of the mind, body, and soul is what encourages the guardians to be just sovereigns for the ruled. Strict ideals placed on objective censorship of classic literature will guide their intellect, severe training in the arts of gymnastics allows for physical competence, and a lack of monetary influence maintains a just soul; these are all facets to create an ideal ruling class who are compassionate to subjects but ferocious to adversaries (375a). In Childhood, guardians would be bred to rule
While according to Socrates music and gymnastics appear to be the only two components in education, it is clear that both of these are only two of three parts for the sake of the soul. The soul of the natural man has irrational desires (epithumetikon) which is why in an ideal society those that rule would not have materialistic ambitions. The guardians would live in modesty and not own private property, they would be rich in education and protect against both wealth and poverty (416/425). To keep riches away from the guardians is beneficial to the ruled because they will be “champions of war” not “fat rich men” therefore they would not only be a stronger force at protecting the people, but it will make the city stronger than that which could separate the unity of brother such as pleasures, desire, and pain