Philosophers by Nature, Philosophers by Design: Two Paradigms in Plato's 'Republic'

FAIN: FB-54735-10

Roslyn E. Weiss
Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA 18015-3027)

Plato's 'Republic' contains two kinds of philosophers: those who are naturally disposed to philosophy, and those who come to philosophy artificially. Corresponding to these two types of philosophers are two distinct conceptions of justice and two divergent attitudes toward ruling. Philosophers of the first type are conventionally just: they show regard, in the first instance, not for themselves but for others. Philosophers of the second type, however, manifest a new sort of justice: their souls are well-ordered. Philosophers of the first type rule willingly so long as conditions permit. Those of the second type, however, have a decided aversion to ruling. Once the two distinct types are discerned, the moral deficiency in philosophers of the second type who care only for their own intellectual fulfillment is exposed. The 'Republic' teaches that philosophers whose only wish is to dwell on the Isles of the Blessed secure their wisdom at the expense of their humanity.

Associated Products

Philosophers in the 'Republic': Plato's Two Paradigms (Book)
Title: Philosophers in the 'Republic': Plato's Two Paradigms
Author: Roslyn Weiss
Abstract: It is argued that the 'Republic' contains two kinds of philosopher, the philosopher by nature who loves the Forms and would rule willingly under reasonable conditions, and the philosopher by design who has no love for the transcendent realm but has to be coerced both to ascend out of the 'Cave' and to return to it to rule.
Year: 2012
Primary URL: http://http://www.worldcat.org/title/philosophers-in-the-republic-platos-two-paradigms/oclc/787509801&referer=brief_results
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Type: Single author monograph
ISBN: 9780801449741
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes

---