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Essay On Plato's Enlightened Despotism

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In order to be able to comprehend Plato 's "enlightened despotism" one must begin by peeling back the layers of what the "practical enterprise" of his Kallipolis is. The fundamental idea being that of virtue as knowledge. The idea of attaining this knowledge represents the objective good, it is the possession of this knowledge that would allow an all-seeing philosopher-ruler to end up with decisive control over the polis. Accordingly, knowledge is recognising the good of the people and the good of the city. There is a permanency to this idea of the city-state that is not subject to variations, opinions or ebbs and flows; it is a model that should be able to carry its own weight irrespective. The social theory behind this is the reciprocal relationship that exists between man and the state or an exchange of …show more content…

This is where Plato 's theory of education comes into play. His first stride into overseeing education being, to control (read censor) particular kinds of music, poetry and art - particularly Homeric poerty - during the earliest stages of childhood in order to sheild them from characteristics that vexed Plato. The criticism levied against them being both theological in nature and political. Homer 's depiction of Gods is unedifying due to the fact that they are at times fickle, false and display bad conduct. The heroism dipicted is one of rabid desire for revenge, this among other things instills a fear of death in the young. This being in complete opposition to inculcating the spirit of bravery (for which he recommends children being spectators of war in order to get accustomed). This and the concomitant succumbing to lust, passion and mirth. Plato, thus, wants to "deprive poets of their power to enchant" in order to reform poetry. When it comes to music only certain types of harmonies and rhythms were allowed, those that promote valour and

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