Plato was one of the most important Greek philosophers. His mathematical work is very influential and laid foundations for different mathematics approaches. But I am interested in discussing his political views. Here are some of his quotes throwing light on political systems.
a. Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.
b. There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands.
‘a’ implies his opinion, ‘b’ also implies somewhat his opinion against democracy but there is point of discussion that rulers should be from intellectual community. What’s your opinion and arguments?
Re: Political views of Plato
Interesting. has there been a philosopher king in history. Heard that about Akbar :)
Re: Political views of Plato
Interesting. has there been a philosopher king in history. Heard that about Akbar :)
Good point, but I think he was a visionary leader in an only sense that he brought military innovations.
Re: Political views of Plato
good thread....:)
Re: Political views of Plato
Intellectual is a person who most of time use intelligence and brain in his profession ?
now this person is more appropriate and capable of understanding problems of others from any field or any class right?
whoever we choose to rule is always going to be from some particular class,ethnicity or religion right?
but he must be ready to treat his subject equally regardless of class,ethnicity or religion.....such thing can happen only if he is ready to use his brain...and he must be kind too....
this will happen more easily if the ruler is an intellectual......
though equality is different for different peoples...:D
Re: Political views of Plato
They forgot to teach us that he was also a child molester who had a group of Kuros ( young boys) whose "company" he preferred. How come they never taught us that he liked sodomizing young boys and what his philosophy was not that? Oh I am sorry, back to brainwashed zombie mood: Plato was the greatest philosopher in history.
Re: Political views of Plato
I think it was Plato who said that the best form of government would be to have a benevolent dictator. I fully agree. The only problem with that is with succession. When you have someone holding that much power, their successor better be as capable as them, with the worst case scenario being that the successor is incompetent. Look at Ashoka for example. He became a philosopher king of sorts, but his successors were incompetent. Same with Akbar. Look at his policies towards religion vs Aurangzeb. And lastly, Augustus, as brutal as he was in consolidating his power, worked for the betterment of the empire, and Rome enjoyed her longest time of peace and minimal military expansion, known as the "Pax Romana", under his reign.
Re: Political views of Plato
Good point, but I think he was a visionary leader in an only sense that he brought military innovations.
besides military innovations, Akbar was the king who followed Sulh e kul concept while dealing with his subjects. Thats why he was able to rule successfully for almost 50 years
Re: Political views of Plato
Benevolent dictator would mean a khalifa ..sucession is determined by shura akbar was a failure..he is only praised because he married a hindu and did not care about islam..of course he is going to b popular
Re: Political views of Plato
They forgot to teach us that he was also a child molester who had a group of Kuros ( young boys) whose "company" he preferred. How come they never taught us that he liked sodomizing young boys and what his philosophy was not that? Oh I am sorry, back to brainwashed zombie mood: Plato was the greatest philosopher in history.
So you dont regard Plato as a philosopher?
I have listened such things about Akbar, but this is surprising that he was child molester...
Re: Political views of Plato
So you dont regard Plato as a philosopher?
I have listened such things about Akbar, but this is surprising that he was child molester...
Plato or Akbar?
Re: Political views of Plato
Plato or Akbar?
I think i missesd something. homesick probably was talking about Plato.
Re: Political views of Plato
Benevolent dictator would mean a khalifa ..sucession is determined by shura akbar was a failure..he is only praised because he married a hindu and did not care about islam..of course he is going to b popular
so do you mean that Akbar's era was a period of difficulties for Muslims, because their religious freedom was at stake?
Of course. Religious freedom for all, except Muslims.
Re: Political views of Plato
kafir kahin ka 