PLATO Dialogue as Discussion · The methodology of Plato's philosophy is the argument, exploring implications, thought experiments, counter-examples. You have to take into account scientific knowledge, but the methodology is not empirical. · From Plato's perspective -We can't do it [philosophy] alone, it has to happen in the clash of points of view. The things we really have to examine are so constitutive of our thinking that we're not aware of them, and so you need these other points of view. Plato is also telling us the more diverse the points of view the better. · Plato formulated questions from a wide range of different areas of enquiry- mathematics, epistemology, metaphysics and political theory-and saw their commonality. "The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato." - Alfred North Whitehead He meant that this methodology, this view of maximising coherence, was begun by Plato and that in that sense, you can say that all philosophy follows in Plato's footsteps. Plato's Republic - · Plato's 'Republic' often referred to as the first political UTOPIA- A society which combines wisdom, justice, order etc. ( n.b Justice not associated with Equality) · Tripartite commonwealth = · - Philosopher Kings-Guardians, rulers, hereditary · Military- Auxiliaries, in charge of order and defence · Common Citizenry- producers who provide the material basis of society In a modern context this equates to Enlightened Despotism PLATO vs ARISTOTLE · 'Republic'- 3 parts- ideal commonwealth; rulers as philosopher kings; republic as way to define justice · Utopia-3 classes =common men(producers), Military (auxiliaries)-rulers as 'philosopher kings'(the guardians) · Hierarchy, hereditary principles but room for vertical mobility · Women equal in ALL aspects but justice NOT equated with equality · Slavery-Anyone outside of city state (Barbarian) not worthy of freedom-doctrine of 'might is right' · Sought to create a government that would be stable with an absence of strife between both individuals and classes. He preferred harmony and efficiency over democracy and liberty · Viewed knowledge derived from physical sensations to be limited and subject to change. Therefore, he believed only the rational mind was useful for comprehending goodness and justice · The body's appetites and emotions should be strictly subordinated to reason.
. 'Politics'-links to his account of human nature and conception of the human good . Happiness (includes flourishing and well being) is ultimate goal of human action · Women do not qualify as citizens · Slavery justified because some people were incapable of assuming responsibility (shades of social Darwinism) · Considered the best state to be a polity, which he described as being a government situated between an oligarchy and democracy. He rested political control with the middle class, who he intended to be a sizable portion of the population. Who rules and who benefits from rule (See table on power and authority) . Considerable regard for the physical world as a source of learning. Although he maintained Plato and Socrates' interest in discovering absolute, unchanging truth,