Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Plato’s Views on the Inferiority of Democracy. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 6 page report discusses the attitudes and philosophies of Plato as expressed in The Republic regarding the existence of democracy and its value to the state. Through the voice and persona of Socrates, Plato discusses the types of inequity that exists both in “governed” states and in individuals. He explains that such inequities or injustices are, in order: timocracy; oligarchy; democracy; and, tyranny. Bibliography lists one source.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_BWinferi.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
"governed" states and in individuals. He explains that such inequities or injustices are, in order: timocracy; oligarchy; democracy; and, tyranny. He presents the question of whether or not one
can exist without the other. He analyzes the nature each of the five types of social compositions beginning with the most perfect of states, aristocracy, and then traces its decline
from the more superior "timocracy" to oligarchy, to democracy, and, finally, to the most damaging and dangerous of constitution, tyranny (VIII: 543:a - 550e). Each of the "constitutions" corresponds to
a certain aspect of human nature and behavior and each aspect can be found, according to Socrates, in every human society. The "Perfection" of "Timocracy" Platos "theoretical model" removed ethics
from the realm of the purely political and proclaimed it as actually being superior to politics. While people of the 21st century might argue that ethics have been left out
of politics since the invention of politics, Plato, again through Socrates, explains them as very different entities with little connection other than both are perceived or apprehended by individuals. He
explains to Glaucon that in order to understand the nature of state: "We shall start with the constitution dominated by motives of ambition -- it has no name
in common use that I know of; let us call it timarchy or timocracy -- and then go on to oligarchy and democracy, and lastly visit a state under despotic
government and look into the despots soul. ... such a systematic review should give us the materials for judgment" (VIII: 545). Plato makes a relatively reasonable assumption that the
best would come first. However, he also recognizes that there is a serious obstacle in fully agreeing with or accepting his political theory since if something is already perfect or
...