Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
In the Republic, Plato's Socrates raises a number of criticisms of democracy.He claims that democracy is a danger due to excessive freedom. He also argues that, in a system in which everyone has a right to rule, all sorts of selfish people who care nothing for the people but are only motivated by their own personal desires are able to attain power.
Socrates' argument is that in the ideal city, a true philosopher with understanding of forms will facilitate the harmonious co-operation of all the citizens of the city—the governance of a city-state is likened to the command of a ship, the Ship of State. This philosopher-king must be intelligent, reliable, and willing to lead a simple life.
Plato's democracy is not the modern notion of a mix of democracy and republicanism, but rather direct democracy by way of pure majority rule. In the metaphor, found at 488a–489d, Plato's Socrates compares the population at large to a strong but near-sighted ship's master.
Socrates will have no part of this sort of 'truth' which, nevertheless, is essential to a democracy. Importantly noted, democracy , which by definition is the manifestation of public opinion , is dependent upon (and therefore also constrained by) the same limits imposed upon the individuals responsible for its establishment.
"If we value and respect others, and that includes their points of view, democracy with its imperfections is our best hope for the future," writes Katz. Opinion: Democracy might be messy, but ...
By way of example, Socrates points to the fact that while in matters concerning specialised labour one would take advice only from the appropriate specialist, like for example builders (τέκτονες) about construction, in matters of state everyone's opinions are considered, which proves that political virtue is within everyone, or that at ...
The social contract at the basis of liberal democracy, first developed by modern political philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, makes universal rights, not moral character, the crux ...
Max Burns, opinion contributor. January 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM. Whatever you think 2025 will bring, you’re most likely wrong. ... Democracy. Free and fair elections. Trump has succeeded enough to ...