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Plato Notes

Plato's higher education system, as outlined in The Republic, aims to cultivate philosopher-kings through a selective and rigorous process that emphasizes mathematics and dialectics. The system includes two sub-stages of higher education from ages 20 to 35, leading to governance responsibilities for those who pass the necessary tests. Plato's later works, such as The Laws, reflect a more practical approach to governance, acknowledging the challenges of implementing his ideal state.

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Plato Notes

Plato's higher education system, as outlined in The Republic, aims to cultivate philosopher-kings through a selective and rigorous process that emphasizes mathematics and dialectics. The system includes two sub-stages of higher education from ages 20 to 35, leading to governance responsibilities for those who pass the necessary tests. Plato's later works, such as The Laws, reflect a more practical approach to governance, acknowledging the challenges of implementing his ideal state.

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lawaspirant2
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Plato's Higher Education System


Plato's higher education system was designed to cultivate philosopher-kings
capable of governing with wisdom and justice. This system, outlined in The Republic,
was selective and rigorous, aiming to identify and train those with the aptitude for
leadership.

Selection and Stages of Higher Education


Selective Admission: Only those who demonstrated exceptional ability in
elementary education were admitted to higher education.
Age Criteria: Higher education spanned from ages 20 to 35.
Two Sub-Stages:
20 to 30 years: Systematic scientific education with emphasis on logic,
astronomy, mathematics, and other sciences.
30 to 35 years: Further selection based on aptitude for scientific
knowledge, leading to the study of philosophy and dialectics.

Curriculum and Emphasis


Plato placed special emphasis on mathematics as an essential component of higher
education. He believed that mathematical studies were the only adequate
introduction to the thought that strives to see things in their connection.

The Role of the Philosopher


At the age of 35, individuals were tested in the art of dialectic to determine their
ability to grasp the "idea of the good." Those who passed this test were deemed fit
to enter the ranks of the ruler-guardian class.

Governance and Retirement


From the age of 35 to 50, these philosopher-guardians were entrusted with the
responsibility of governing the state. After the age of 50, they were expected to retire
from active governance to spend the rest of their lives in the study of philosophy.

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Justice and Social Classes


Plato's concept of justice is central to his ideal state, emphasizing the importance of
harmony and the fulfillment of individual roles within society.

Definition of Justice
Ernest Barker defines justice as "the principle of a society consisting of
different types of men...who have combined under the impulse of their
need for one another, and by their combination in one society, and their
concentration on their separate functions, have made a whole which is
perfect because it is the product and image of the whole of human mind."

According to Sabine, Platonic justice implies "giving to every man his due," which
means treating individuals based on their capacity and training and expecting them
to perform their assigned tasks honestly.

Social Classes
Plato divided society into three distinct classes based on the principle of division of
labor:

1. The Artisans: Responsible for economic and manufacturing activities.


2. The Soldier-Guardians: Involved in the administration of the state and its
protection from external and internal threats.
3. The Philosopher-Kings: Entrusted with the governance of the state.

Rule of the Philosopher-King


Plato believed that justice could only be realized through the rule of philosopher-
kings, who possess superior knowledge and are free from emotional bonds.

Characteristics of Philosopher-Kings
Fearless
Possessing superior knowledge
Free from emotional bonds

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Absence of Laws and Public Opinion


Plato argued that it would be foolish to bind philosopher-kings with laws or subject
them to public opinion. He believed their wisdom and judgment should guide their
actions without restraint.

Restrictions on the Guardian Class


To prevent corruption and maintain their focus on the well-being of the state, Plato
proposed certain restrictions for the guardian class, including prohibitions on private
property and traditional family structures.

Prohibition of Private Property


Members of the guardian class were prohibited from possessing private property,
such as houses, land, or money. They were expected to live in barracks and share
meals at a common table. This restriction did not apply to the artisan class.

Communism of Wives
Plato advocated for the abolition of permanent monogamous sexual relationships for
the guardian class. Instead, he proposed a system of state-regulated breeding to
secure the best possible offspring.

System of Education

Elementary Education
Plato proposed a system of compulsory elementary education for members of both
sexes up to the age of twenty. This education included:

Gymnastics for training the body


Music for training the mind

Plato emphasized physical, mental, and moral development, culminating in


compulsory military training for both sexes.

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Higher Education
The higher education was divided into two sub-stages :

From 20 to 30 years
From 30 to 35 years

In the first phase of the higher education, the selected men and women were to be
given systematic scientific education. The education was both physical and
intellectual. The syllabus included study of logic, astronomy, mathematics and other
sciences. Plato places special emphasis on mathematics.

At the end of the first sub-state, there was to be another selection process to
proceed for further studies. Those for whom showed aptitude for scientific
knowledge and Philosophy and diaelectical.

At the age of 35 years, to be examined in the art of dialectic. Those who satisfactorily
passed every test, were to enter, responsibility of governance of the people. After the
age of 50 they were to retire nc pean ta Relation 0ee of the Good, such a study
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Plato's Second-Best State


Plato's later works, The Statesman and The Laws, present a more subdued and
down-to-earth treatment of political problems. According to Sabine, Plato never
definitively abandoned the theory developed in The Republic but recognized the
practical challenges of implementing such an ideal state.

The Laws as a Practical Alternative


In The Laws, Plato shifts his focus from the philosopher-ruler to the rule of law. The
laws, combined with ethical and philosophical considerations, become the
cornerstone of political stability.

Sub-Ideal State

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Ernest Barker describes Plato's second-best state as a "half-way house between the
ideal and the actual," a sub-ideal state that acknowledges the limitations of human
nature and the need for practical governance.

Page 5

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