Should we be ruled by Philosophers?

Question

In The Republic book IX, Plato argued that most ordinary people did not have a strongly rational nature, and therefore needed to be constrained in what they did by being ruled by those who were naturally more rational. Phlosophers alone, he thought, would have sufficient detachment to be able to legislate for the good of society as a whole. It seems to me that in the past our leaders had more philosophical ideals than today. I know to be a politition you have to take some philosophy but should it be a bigger issue. Any comment are appreciated.

Answer 1

Point a,,,, hm, my dear, that mind of yours should be at college. Um, no leave things as they are, honey. Just leave them. Don't fix what aint broke. [do I talk like a 37 year old?]

Point b, no philosiphers are air heads [|I've read *all* of Socratess work, and Plato's, and Aristottle's], yea, they air heads I'm not letting them rule. Our rulers are pretty decent, and we should admire their good qualities. Read Thomas Jefferson,,,,,,, now there's a ruller. Or Abe Linc.

Answer 2

I think you've got some good answers already. Those people who say that, yes, it would be a good idea if our leaders really cared about real wisdom, real justice and real virtue, as Plato said philosophers should, are absolutely right.

I would just add two qualifications.

The first is that not too many actual philosophers (by that I mean professors in philosophy departments) are philosophers in Plato's sense. Not too many of them would make good rulers.

The second is that even Plato doesn't quite think that ordinary people need to be constrained. That puts his point too strongly (a good place to see this is in the Laws, not the Republic). Rational people, he thinks, will seek the good for society as a whole (as you say). One of their primary aims is to convince ordinary people, who also have a share of reason, that their suggestions for law and policy are good for the society as a whole. The best way to do this is to educate everyone to the best standard possible. (In the Laws, Plato actually says that the most important person in the whole state is the minister of education!)

What do we see in our politicians today? less and less funding for education; a dumming down of society; and the use of sound bytes instead of reasoning. A change in Plato's direction, without giving up fundamental liberties, would be a good idea.

Answer 3

You have to keep in mind that Plato thought all philosophers would have access to the same truth, the truth of the Forms. So, for Plato, a government of philosophers would be made up of people who were in agreement about what the world was like, what knowledge was, and how people should behave. Also, Plato hated democracy, which he saw as responsible for the death of his great teacher, Socrates.

Plato's great student, Aristotle, disagreed substantially with him, especially about the Forms, and ever since then, even during the centuries of Christianity's rule, philosophy has been an arena of disagreement. (In fact it always was). Which is a good thing for philosophy, but not a good thing for a government. A government's members must be in agreement - or at least must rule *as if* they are.

So, we should be ruled by people who have some training in philosophy, but they should not rule *as philosophers*, because philosophy proceeds by arguing out disagreements, and a government cannot rule with any efficiency if its members do not behave as a unified body.

Answer 4

I agree wholeheartedly with Plato's idea but not the sly underhand methods he advocated to maintain utter control.
I wrote an essay in college on this and opened it with;
"In the quest to raise heaven on earth too many have created a living hell".
So, we must do it carefully and naturally.
But i do agree that NOW is the critical moment to have philosophers in power. To meld the masses desires so they consume less. Do you know that if all in the world lived as Americans do we'd break even being supplied by SIX planet earths (check out global footprint).
So, we need someone to enforece the necessary order to ensure survival at the cost of desires which seem to be so rampant. As long as the desires make money the plutocracy is in charge politically. And as long as we long for pleasures of entertainment then the hedonists will run the media and pump our feeble minds with reasons to BUY BUY BUY!!!
Its a bad world (if a materially successful one where advanced science and medicine are only side-effects of this material success) and if it isn't reformed its gonna get a whole lot worse.
Wow-amn't i optimistic!
I'm a philosopher and i wouldn't run for power coz i know its corrupt thats why philosophers will NEVER gain power democratically-and coz they go against the desires of the people for the Greater Good. So the mob rules!

Answer 5

The great thing about democracy is that anyone can become a politician. You don't have to take philosophy at all!. You just have to be rich. Rich people, in general, are the ones who rule us...and constrain us.

The great problem with democracy (particularly in the U.S.) is that people do not trust their own judgment to think rationally. They have been put down by the rich long enough that they believe them. If people took the time to think a bit for themselves, it would be anybody's game.

Answer 6

I wholly disagree with Plato's assertion that ordinary folks lack rationality. He doesn't go much in trying to prove his point, and I was never impressed with Plato in school, so I have a bad attitude towards his philosophy.

Anyway, the world has changed. Back then, it was smaller and life was much harder then today's world.

Answer 7

Yes, plato was on the right track.

The average person cannot be trusted to make executive decisions. The mob can't be trusted, the fact that 51% of the people favor a certain course of action does not mean that it is wise.

Answer 8

LoL, very interesting what this great Plato had to say. What Plato did not realize is that we are not ruled by leaders but influenced by average ordinary people.

Answer 9

Yes why not. It's far more better than being ruled by dumb heads.At least they have mind to think and heart to feel. Our leaders are the root of all the problems and they are the one who are creating all the problems all around the world.

Answer 10

Lovers of knowledge and truth as opposed to lying, cheating, treacherous, conniving, demagogues and crooks like politicians?

Look at what has happened when countries are run by religious zealots and fanatics and by sleazy politicians... hunger, malnutrition, treatable diseases, preventable illnesses, droughts and no plans to conserve water for even cultivation, human rights violations, stupid wars, hatred, terrorism, genocide....

I'd risk my future with those who prefer knowledge, truth and based their decisions on matter of conduct, morals, fairness, justice, facts, sound judgment, etc., and so on...