According to Aristophanes in the comedy Clouds, the philosopher’s way of life is merely to acquire as much …show more content…
In book V, Socrates says that philosophers are “insatiable in their approach to learning” (475c). Adeimantus continues and says that those who are brought up in the philosophical life “become quite queer, not to say completely vicious” (487d), and the men in Aristophanes’ Thinkery are quite queer indeed. Socrates also presents the philosopher in the image of the “Ship’s Captain”, in which the philosopher will not rule unless he is asked (488a). Plato and Aristophanes both would most likely agree that the philosopher seeks out knowledge in all things, but they do not seem to agree whether that is a good thing or not. Socrates in The Republic seems to want what is best for the city politically, which he believes would be the philosopher-king. Aristophanes uses Socrates’ lack of political involvement to show that what is best for the city is to follow ancient custom and education in order to continue the traditions of the