The Rule of the Philosopher-Kings: Plato's Ideal State

Plato was one of the most influential philosophers in the history of Western thought. He was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. He wrote many dialogues, among which The Republic is the most famous.

In this dialogue, Plato presents his vision of the ideal state, which he calls aristocracy, meaning the rule of the best. Plato’s aristocracy is based on his theory of the Forms, which are the eternal and perfect realities that exist beyond the physical world.

The Forms are the source of all truth, beauty, justice and goodness. The highest Form is the Good, which is also identified with the One and the Sun. The Good illuminates all other Forms and gives them being and intelligibility.

Plato believes that only a few people can attain the knowledge of the Forms, and they are the philosopher-kings, who have the highest wisdom and virtue. They are also called guardians, because they guard and guide the state according to the principles of the Forms. The philosopher-kings have souls of gold, and they are trained in philosophy and mathematics from childhood.

Plato’s aristocratic state consists of three classes: the rulers, who are the philosopher-kings; the auxiliaries, who are the soldiers and police; and the producers, who are the farmers, artisans, merchants and other workers. The auxiliaries have souls of silver, and they are trained in warfare and courage. The producers have souls of bronze or iron, and they are engaged in various economic activities.

The rulers are forbidden from owning property or having families, so that they would not be corrupted by wealth or personal attachments. They live in a common dwelling and share everything in common. They also practice a form of eugenics, where they mate according to a lottery system that ensures the best offspring. The auxiliaries are responsible for enforcing the laws and defending the state from enemies.

They also live in a common dwelling and share everything in common. The producers are allowed to own property and have families, but they have to obey the rulers and pay taxes to support them. Plato’s aristocracy is meant to be a harmonious and just society, where each class performs its natural function and contributes to the common good.

Plato contrasted his ideal state with four inferior forms of government: timocracy, where honor and military glory are valued over wisdom; oligarchy, where wealth and power are concentrated in the hands of a few; democracy, where freedom and equality lead to chaos and instability; and tyranny, where a single ruler oppresses the people for his own benefit.