Plato’s captain is not given credit for his work and functions onboard a ship. Not all captains/leaders suffer from “blindness” about what is happening under their rule. Also Athenian democracy did not have a distinct ruler that stayed in a position of overwhelming power for very long; so the captain is not represented very well.

The sailors are constantly arguing with each other, each thinking that they should be the pilot, even though none of them have education on how to navigate.

Plato and Socrates see their position in Athenian democracy as a educator too as much of the society as possible; by walking around and talking to citizens of Athens about the true philosophies on life in hopes that they might benefit and do good because of what they have learned. True philosophers allow society to examine their thoughts and question what they take for granted.

All on board the ship see the navigator as useless because they do not understand the obligations of a true navigator and what is involved in his art. The navigator’s skill looks at the weather, seasons, stars, and the wind; and knows what is going to happen long before is does, because that is his skill. Unfortunately he is unable to do anything about the future or the crew because he is not is a position of authority to do so. The navigator wants to be in a position to help not only himself but also the entire crew of the ship. He is not the biggest or the strongest and if he speaks up they will kill him and throw him overboard because he is eating food and getting paid wages that could be extra for them.

The sailors are a representation of politicians who act in their own interests. These people get in positions of power through flattery and once there suck money from the society or leaders that they are supposed to be helping by manipulating political changes for their own interests. They do not see the philosopher’s skill as anything of importance because they can not comprehend the forms like the perceptive philosopher who is constantly questioning the society to make it a better place for all citizens.

Socrates is trying to explain how an uneducated society thinks foolishly of the one who has knowledge/wisdom in philosophy and governing. The politicians form small power groups in order to control the s

Some topics in this essay:
, Plato Socrates, Socrates Plato, athenian democracy, navigator speak, true philosophers, true philosophers allow, plato socrates, tell crew, philosopher king, philosophers allow, onboard ship, entire crew,