Plato: the republic

question 1

i agree with Kant’s quote, Plato would also agree with this statement. Plato explains that philosophers should rule the city since they know the truth better and possess relevant practical knowledge. (Coumoundouros). Plato discusses four types of unjust regimes and their associated unjust individuals. Plato first argues about a timocracy regime. In a timocracy regime, emphasis focuses on honour instead of justice and wisdom. A timocratic individual possesses a robust, spirited soul that pursues power, reputation, and success. Therefore, the timocratic individual militarises his city to protect his interests. Oligarchy is another type of regime that deviates from just kingship. The Oligarchy regime emphasizes wealth instead of honour (Coumoundouros). The Oligarchy regime creates a city of wealthy citizens and a city consisting of a large number of poor citizens. The wealthy will fear the poor. The crime rate will increase as a result of the high number of poor people. The appetitive part of an oligarchy individual dominates his soul, and he greedily pursues wealth in fear of losing his possessions to the poor. Therefore, the soul of an oligarchic individual centre between the appetitive and spirited part.

In a democratic regime, freedom and license are the primary goals. Therefore, the poor will revolt against the rich. Further, the assumption that everyone is equal in ability results in people holding offices without the required knowledge. Since the democratic individual lacks sufficient education, his desire transition from money to the body and material goods. Therefore, the democratic individual requires shame and self-discipline.

Question 2

The proposition of john Madison and his fellows are not correct. Championing for the separation of powers, a representative form of government, and republican civic virtues cannot prevent the formation of the tyranny of the majority in government. Tyranny is a resultant factor of a democratic government that arises when unnecessary desires and pleasures dominate the republican leaders (Coumoundouros). America is likely to experience an increase in demagogue leaders. Tyrants will come presenting themselves as champions of the people against the class of a few wealthy people. Tyrants possess extreme desires to do what they want and retain their power, which will eventually lead them to kill people and exiling the brave. Amending the constitution with laws probing uncertainties regarding the presidential powers and secession can prevent demagogues. Legislation should mandate Congress to oversee a demagogue president in delegating his powers to the deputy president. Further, Congress should possess the capabilities to impeach a demagogue president.

Question 3

i have not donated my kidney yet because i do not trust the health workers. i may give wholeheartedly, but the organs might present the next attractive deal in the market according to (Coumoundouros) satisfied appetites, including that for financial gains, are naturally greedy. Monetary incentives to doctors are not a guarantee for transparency in the health sector.

Question 4

The notion that it is impossible to tell anybody anything which in a genuine sense, he does not already know is correct. According to (Coumoundouros), three conditions have to be met for humans to know something: the subject in question must be real. Secondly, we must believe it for if we do not think so, then we cannot claim that we know it. Lastly, the subject must be justifiable, meanings there must be a reason why we believe the matter to be real.

Question 5

Proving something through reason or logic is arguing with an established validity of a proposition. In the republic, Plato provides proof for his argument. For example, after analyzing the types of unjust regimes and their levels of happiness, Plato includes evidence that the more just one is, the happier (Coumoundouros)   there exist mathematical answers to philosophical questions, this is because philosophers view grammar and rhetoric as forms of mathematics. Both philosophy and mathematics interrelate. There exists no mathematical literature meaning that mathematics dwells on the use of thought. Philosophy draws on mathematics to keep the memory of social issues.

In book vii, Plato outlines the structure of the necessary philosopher’s king’s education. Plato says that the philosophers receive teachings in mathematics: plane geometry, solid geometry and arithmetic geometry (Coumoundouros).

works cited

coumoundouros, Antonis. “internet encyclopedia of philosophy. ” https://www.iep.utm.edu/republic/#h1 accessed 17 May 2020.