Plato's Philosopher Kings

Plato took a dim view of democracy as a process for deciding what to do. Plato thought rulers should be specially-trained philosophers chosen because they were incorruptible and had a deeper knowledge of reality than other people… an idea that only a philosopher could have come up with.

Narrated by Aidan Turner. Scripted by Nigel Warburton.

From the BBC Radio 4 series about life's big questions - A History of Ideas.

This project is from the BBC in partnership with The Open University, the animations were created by Cognitive.

[franklinfalco]

The world needs Plato now more than ever. People almost expect their government to be corrupt. They've forgotten that government can be a force for good and leaders can be role models. I wish we'd stop the endless debates over the size of our government and focus more on the size of our government's and society's character.

[Feroste]

You forget to mention that Philosopher Kings are meant to lead simple lives.
No president living in a skyscrapper. No, that guy who was raised with ALL our knowledge (no bias) sitting in the dirt with scraggly beard who sits around and thinks all day, he's our king.

[wendyscott]

This series is even more wonderful with Aidan Turner saying the words! What a great voice. :)

[Mistral]

"If they can't take a hint and make me their king, then they don't deserve me." - what Plato secretly thought while writing this.

[tomrushpresents]

Part of the inspiration for a song a wrote called Philosopher Kings. These videos are so well done.

[LordlyJeremy]

I love how this series sneaks characters from classic BBC shows into the drawings.

[Shaolin-Jesus]

The sarcasm at the end was unwarranted. It only expressed the fact that the writer did not understand the meaning of philosophy.

Philosophy translates to "the love of wisdom".

The love of wisdom is not something exclusive to a 'Philosopher'.

Our ability to have a natural gravitation towards wisdom simply highlights that we are all inherently philosophical beings.

[vgernyc]

The problem with humans though is an individual woefully qualified can hoodwink their way proclaiming themselves to be this Philosopher King. Any political system is vulnerable to the human condition no matter how hard you try. Democracy has some resilience against this but it depends on the general public maintaining a high level of education and a strong social contract to make wise and unbiased decisions.

[sebastianrc]

Socrates... "he's got a good face for radio!"

[humbaba]

I'm an Apprentice Network Telecommunications Field Engineer. Why am i here?

[steve]

I heard that philosopher kings ruled over themselves and just had a higher level of the nature of reality than others....

[HierophanticRose]

In many ways the Philosopher Kings argument shaped the French Presidential Republic, and the broad powers and often lethal responsibility placed upon them.

[cuchulain]

Another thing about having a philosopher king is. Or any ruler in general is the person chosen or in question has to NOT want to rule.he has to be dragged kicking and screaming into the position of ruler ship.kind of like John Quincy Adams, or King Arthur as a boy.

[Helpertin]

Who would have thought that a philosopher would come to the conclusion that philosophers should be the kings and queens.

[jamesskinnercouk]

Brilliant, right when are we going to get started.

[david]

i really wish the western unthinking love of democracy is tempered with Plato's logic instead of being just dogma. And it is not true that "democracy is the worst system except for all the other"...this is just gaslighting us to think democracy is the best system because we don't think is the worst....no it is not the worst ...tyranny is 1 step below it....but it also is not the best

[akhtaruzzamanjoy]

Marcus Aurelius, Frederick the Great!! two of my favorite Philosophical king!

[kamerondonaldson]

a sunken ship can be replaced. the crew is more difficult to replace. no sense going down with the ship.. no sense getting the ship into life and death situations in the first place. and such a massive margin for error allows everyone to learn the skills necessary to steer the ship. but yes, it's generally preferable that one person remain in charge of the centralized system and everyone else cooperates with them.

[inferno]

I will describe HH Benedict XVI as the closest thing we have to the first Philosopher King of the 21st century, and his rule of the Vatican shows the weakness of the Philosopher King.

His philosophical scholarship is academic, and he lacks experience in administrating the complex politics of the Vatican.

His Holiness ended up with minimum influence in the Vatican when conservative cardinals took control, and the Vatican took all the blame for scandals. Instead of becoming another Marcus Aurelius, the Philosopher King was reduced to a rubber seal.

[Vidyarthi]

कौन कौन यहाँ आया आचार्य प्रशांत की किताब का पाठ पढ़के जो की है " जैसे आप, वैसा आपका संसार- दूसरों की शिकायत करना बंद करो।" शिक्षा, समझ में बल होता है तभी दुनिया भर के देश प्लेटो के इस फिलोस्फर किंग के आस पास के सिद्धांत को अपनाते है देश, कंपनी और संस्थाओं को चलाने के लिए ।