Plato's Role In Athenian Democracy
One of the most influential minds in western philosophy is of Plato. Plato lived from 422-347 B.C, was born into an aristocratic family in the city of Athens. He was a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle. Plato followed the basic ideas of Socrates, in which no laws are to be broken despite their relevance. He makes clear why laws should be followed and why disobedience to the law is rarely justified. Plato is considered a very essential figure in the contribution of philosophy and an essential figure to western tradition. He was the prime founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning within the Western World. Plato has a range of teachings that have been used to instruct a wide spread of subjects. Some
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Athenian democracy was guided by the principle of isonomy. Isonomy basically means that everyone in Athens is equal before the law, and all citizens have equal participation in creating the law (Breaugh, 2011). Even though citizens are equal in the political sphere, they were not equal in other areas of the polis. The lower classes in Athenian democracy were equal in the sense that they had an equal to vote on the laws, and to have a say in issues that would impact the polis, but the lower class citizens had more to lose by participation, because of pay loss (Breaugh, 2011). Therefore, until the Athenian government introduced compensation of these people, the lower class citizens would not exercise their right to equal participation. As Athenian democracy evolved, the lower classes of the polis participated equally in the assembly, and could possibly have a chance to rule. In the statement Plato says, “Dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike”. The classes were only part of what Plato meant. The people who were not citizens were also given a sort of equality, but not in the polis. Although people who were not citizens of Athens could not participate in the political life in the polis, they had a ’sort of’ equality in Athens (Breaugh, 2011). Slaves had to be treated fairly, although they had no residency rights, or the right to legal advice. Slaves were considered part of the household; they could participate in religious ceremonies, and had basic legal rights. Unlike in most areas with slaves, they could buy their freedom back in the Athenian polis (Breaugh, 2011). Metics were a very important part of the Athenian economy. The only reason that Metics were not allowed to participate was that it was believed that it was impossible to be economically prosperous, and have an active political life. Metics were equal in other aspects, including responsibilities to the polis, including military service.
Athenian democracy was guided by the principle of isonomy. Isonomy basically means that everyone in Athens is equal before the law, and all citizens have equal participation in creating the law (Breaugh, 2011). Even though citizens are equal in the political sphere, they were not equal in other areas of the polis. The lower classes in Athenian democracy were equal in the sense that they had an equal to vote on the laws, and to have a say in issues that would impact the polis, but the lower class citizens had more to lose by participation, because of pay loss (Breaugh, 2011). Therefore, until the Athenian government introduced compensation of these people, the lower class citizens would not exercise their right to equal participation. As Athenian democracy evolved, the lower classes of the polis participated equally in the assembly, and could possibly have a chance to rule. In the statement Plato says, “Dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike”. The classes were only part of what Plato meant. The people who were not citizens were also given a sort of equality, but not in the polis. Although people who were not citizens of Athens could not participate in the political life in the polis, they had a ’sort of’ equality in Athens (Breaugh, 2011). Slaves had to be treated fairly, although they had no residency rights, or the right to legal advice. Slaves were considered part of the household; they could participate in religious ceremonies, and had basic legal rights. Unlike in most areas with slaves, they could buy their freedom back in the Athenian polis (Breaugh, 2011). Metics were a very important part of the Athenian economy. The only reason that Metics were not allowed to participate was that it was believed that it was impossible to be economically prosperous, and have an active political life. Metics were equal in other aspects, including responsibilities to the polis, including military service.