Platos Kallipolis
Taruna Hariparsad
464716
Phil2002:Essay (Block One)
Topic : To what extent is Plato’s Kallipolis a totalitarian state ?
PHIL2002 Taruna Hariparsad
Essay: The Republic 464716
Topic: To what extent is Plato’s Kallipolis a totalitarian state?
Introduction:
Plato’s Republic is to a very large extent totalitarian, or rather on the “surface” appears to be totalitarian in the way he formulates it and lays down it blue prints.
This is due to the fact that it seems that Plato is more concerned about the happiness of the state as a whole even if it means some individuals must suffer, the government is not elected by its citizens and the interests of the ruling class rule over the city. These are but a few of the elements of a totalitarian state. However it can also be argued that even though Plato’s Kallipolis may appear totalitarian, Plato has done so as he would want man to reflect on the ideas he has laid down and whether they are just or not. We can never be too sure as to what Plato truly means in the Republic and what he has just put forward as a stimulus or thinking point. Many argue that Plato’s Kallipolis is not totalitarian as The Republic speaks of not only a happy state but a happy individual as well. This is true. The degree to which Plato’s Kallipolis can be regarded as totalitarian state depends on the definition of a totalitarian state and this may differ slightly between different sources.
Firstly we will describe what a totalitarian state is in general sense and the most supported views of what totalitarianism is. Secondly we will evaluate Plato’s Kallipolis and determine too what extent it fits the profile of a totalitarian state. Thirdly and finally we will evaluate whether it is necessarily a negative thing and whether Plato truly believes the ideas he has put forward.
What is a Totalitarian state?
By definition a totalitarian state is “a government that
464716
Phil2002:Essay (Block One)
Topic : To what extent is Plato’s Kallipolis a totalitarian state ?
PHIL2002 Taruna Hariparsad
Essay: The Republic 464716
Topic: To what extent is Plato’s Kallipolis a totalitarian state?
Introduction:
Plato’s Republic is to a very large extent totalitarian, or rather on the “surface” appears to be totalitarian in the way he formulates it and lays down it blue prints.
This is due to the fact that it seems that Plato is more concerned about the happiness of the state as a whole even if it means some individuals must suffer, the government is not elected by its citizens and the interests of the ruling class rule over the city. These are but a few of the elements of a totalitarian state. However it can also be argued that even though Plato’s Kallipolis may appear totalitarian, Plato has done so as he would want man to reflect on the ideas he has laid down and whether they are just or not. We can never be too sure as to what Plato truly means in the Republic and what he has just put forward as a stimulus or thinking point. Many argue that Plato’s Kallipolis is not totalitarian as The Republic speaks of not only a happy state but a happy individual as well. This is true. The degree to which Plato’s Kallipolis can be regarded as totalitarian state depends on the definition of a totalitarian state and this may differ slightly between different sources.
Firstly we will describe what a totalitarian state is in general sense and the most supported views of what totalitarianism is. Secondly we will evaluate Plato’s Kallipolis and determine too what extent it fits the profile of a totalitarian state. Thirdly and finally we will evaluate whether it is necessarily a negative thing and whether Plato truly believes the ideas he has put forward.
What is a Totalitarian state?
By definition a totalitarian state is “a government that
Bibliography: Popper, Karl. “Plato as Enemy of the Open Society.” Plato: Totalitarian or Democrat? Ed. White, Nicholas. A Companion to Plato’s Republic. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1979. Plato, (translated by G.M.A Grube). The Republic. Hackett Publishing Company Inc http://press.princeton.edu/titles/765.html http://12tuesday.com/popper-v-totalitarianism-plato%E2%80%99s-republic-in-the-20th-century-and-karl-popper%E2%80%99s-historical-perspective-an-overview/ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/600435/totalitarianism http://www.centerforfutureconsciousness.com/pdf_files/2008_Essays/Plato%20s%20Republic-Just%20Society%20or%20Totalitarian%20State.pdf http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-ethics-politics/#4.4