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About
Plato
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(about
Plato, page 2 of 2)
What Plato attempts
to convey to those who will listen is the fact that
government and politics are merely the fruits of man's
labor in an effort to become socially adept. In order to
gain such social order, there must be some semblance of
structural force that will maintain control over the
masses. This aspect, coupled with the fact that no single
individual can be considered fit to lead until and unless
he is first able to guide his own self, is the credo upon
which Plato lived. Man must work diligently so that he
establishes a form of political system that reflects these
important aspects.
"…Many enmities
have arisen against me, and such as are most harsh and
grievous, so that many prejudices have resulted from
them and I am called a wise man. For on each occasion
those who are present think I am wise in the matters
in which I confute someone else; but the fact is,
gentlemen, it is likely that the god is really wise
and by his oracle means this: 'Human wisdom is of
little or no value'" (Plato Apology 23a).
To reach true
happiness, Plato contended that the people must strive for
a contentment that only comes from being true to one's own
choice. The inherent relationships that exist between and
among men are integral components to the overall benefit
of government; if these
relationships are shattered, there can be no justice for
anyone. According to Plato, the people have the power to
control their own destinies by way of reconciling mind and
matter with the inner and social life. They are all
intertwined, he claimed, and as such must be addressed as
one entity rather than numerous. Unity was all-important
to Plato's primary concept of government. If there is no
unity, then there is no realistic political system, for it
takes considerably more than one man's word to impart a
true sense of happiness. "Make your first and chief
concern not for your bodies nor for your possessions, but
for the highest welfare of your souls" (Plato Apology
30b).
Plato's ideals on
government claim that citizens are obligated by loyalty to
obey the state. Is it not possible that, as a community
unto itself, the people can govern themselves with minimal
guidance or interference from the political system?
However, Plato contended that in order to gain protection
and maintain a safe society from enemy intrusion, it is so
that the citizens consent to follow the law. Without laws
to maintain order, there would be nothing but chaos in
what would otherwise be a civilized society. Yet this is
merely Plato's interpretation of government, which he
noted to be his own personal rendition of what represented
a workable regime.
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