Do you agree with Plato's assertion in The Republic that personal desire should be postponed for the sake ..?

Question

... of "the higher ideal"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJjW7IoW7Uo&feature=related
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Houston... - Yes, as I too interpret Plato's assertion, "postponed" means "delayed through moderation" and never total "denial" or "replacement". ... A killing of desire can hardly be considered a noble act or a concession in favor of the higher ideal.

Answer 1

What a great vid to support your question.

This is the circumstance in which sacrifice comes into play. An evolved person lives in this state.

I agree with Plato, as difficult as it may be at times.

Answer 2

In the sense that retrospective, once one is past middle age, shows that potential often might have been better developed had there been greater emotional restraint in various circumstances, I have to agree. There are however many times when opportunity to fulfill a desire must be seized when it is available. Sorting out the desires that need time's tempering from those that are best grabbed in the moment makes agreeing with Plato's assertion slightly easier than implementing. lol

May your desires wonderfully harmonize with the higher ideals to enrich you more than ever in the coming year , !
Hugs and love to you always~

Answer 3

To a great degree, personal desire is such a vast category. Much of my own personal desire revolves around "..the greater good.." as Spock would have called it. Each of us has a moral imperative to preserve this earth for now and in the future. We also have a responsibility to society, to assure that we are all safe and healthy (physically and mentally), and to preserve the freedoms granted under the Constitution. But even more than that we have the responsibility to promote peace throughout our own small world and the globe. I do not believe that this country should be a global police force, but do fully believe that each of us individually - everywhere - should do everything that we can to make this world a better place to live and grow.

Answer 4

i have always put my family ahead of my desires. good song. reminds me of where i was when that song came out

Answer 5

Personally, I think "postponed" is an incorrect interpretation. "Postponed" is frequently thought of as "delayed" or "replaced by", an interpretation which I think Plato would disagree with. I think he actually meant "postponed" as "moderated by" or "regulated by".

The higher ideal should be a component of one's pursuit of personal desires, not a replacement for it.

Interpreted like this, I agree with it.

Answer 6

Do you think to reject Human Belief In Supremacy would fit into Plato's assertion. Would Plato have approved of The United Nations had it existed in his time. Would Plato suggest that The Human Belief In Supremacy should be rejected at The Senate in The Republic. Were The United Nations in existance in the time of Plato would Plato approve.Would Plato suggest ithe belief be listed as an interference in the attempt to seek the ''higher ideal''.

Answer 7

Great video. Neil and Magueri make excellent points. I believe that our higher ideals do become something that we thrive on, something which feeds and energizes us and makes the rest of life fun and worth living.

Answer 8

But his desire was the "higher ideal", so he was not putting it off at all.

Answer 9

i'm a sucker. therefore, my answer is...yes. given the opportunity to give up anything i have or am to make things better for others, (we are speaking of the greater good, aren't we?) then i'll do it every time....btw, sorry low, i don't watch the vids. i just answer them as they come, so may not get the whole gist of what you're asking.