... the major contributors. The term democracy is believed to have originated from a Greek term "demos kratos" which means the rule of the people. This shows that democracy advocates for power to rest in the hands of the majority and the daily running of the political affairs should be determined by the citizens either directly or indirectly. Democracy can be best ... that they have been sold the false notion that the only alternative to democracy is dictatorship. The choice, they have been led to believe, is between majority rule and rule by a powerful individual or group. Somehow, self-ru...

• Word Count: 2661
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... to Constant, irrational decisions decided by majorities are exactly what modern liberties intend to protect. Modern citizens' actions are not always protected by the norms and morals determined by a majority rule; thus, modern liberty is necessary to protect individuals from persecution. Constant's opinion of Greek politics also shows the shortcomings of Aristotle's political theory. Aristotle believed a person had to ... uphold that our governments exist to serve us and we can ultimately replace our government, not that we exist to serve our government. Aristotle believed that by combin...

• Word Count: 888
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... in particular offer different approaches to the ideal. Finally, we will see why, although quite well founded theoretically, Plato's belief that philosophers should rule is flawed. The question of whether justice is better than injustice is the main subject broached by Republic. At an individual level, Plato ... This seems to abandon all notions that human beings are irrational and desire-led. Up to this point, Plato assertion that Philosophers should rule seems quite reasonable. If the knowledge of justice can be gained through education, then it is right that they should. This would gi...

• Word Count: 2247
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... the law may lead to its own disadvantage, therefore this definition is inadequate. Instead, he proposes that The best ruler must always know how to rule, and should rule for the art of ruling and not for their own interest alone (342 e). Now it is human nature to, given an opportunity to do so ... of injustice in order to maximize one's own interests. Plato believes that a Good ruler must overcome this, overcome human nature and its natural desires, in order to rule a just city. Plato seems to contradict his own points when he explains his mode of choosing a ruler in two ways. First, in d...

• Word Count: 4188
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... views Plato held were influenced by the political tribulations of Athens. During Plato's life alone, Athens underwent much political unrest. After centuries with a democratic rule, the Athenian government was replaced with the violent reign of the Oligarchy of Thirty Tyrants, imposed as a result of their surrender to Sparta fallowing ... abandoned left only with the option of "professional" rulers. In turn is born the idea of the Philosopher Kings. "The desires of the common majority are controlled by the desires and the intelligence of the minority of better men." In Plato's ideal city ...

• Word Count: 1319
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography

... Plato's ultimate goal, and does so by proving that justice is good and worthwhile. In order to have a truly just city, it must be enlightened of this. Unless "the philosophers rule as kings or those now called kings and chiefs genuinely and adequately philosophize, and political power and philosophy coincides in the same place... there is no rest from ills for ... on a more basic level. Highlighting its advantages, rather than highlighting its worth in providing for the good of the individual and the city, is a necessary oversimplification. Plato recognizes that a large majority of thos...

• Word Count: 1892
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... " form for everything that exists in the world. Each material thing is simply a representation of the real thing which is the form. The majority of people are unable to see the forms, only the representation or shadow of the form. Here Plato distinguishes between the material world we live ... responsible for enforcing the laws designated by the Guardian Kings. While the majority of the people would constitute the lower end of society in the producer class. Plato's Polis can be best summarized as an Aristocracy, or rule by the best. On this issue Aristotle clearly makes it known ... in ...

• Word Count: 1977
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... And men know that all mankind, if they are as strong as the Athenians, will do as they did- (qtd. Johnson 122). Thucydides is obviously accurate about men inheriting this rule of power even now. Evidence of this is shown all around the world today. Even small children are authorities over other children if they are permitted to be. This nature ... of men to rule others often leads to war, or perhaps discord. Plato explains the difference in the names "discord- and "war,"" and also the difference in the nature of the two. Plato ... another they, meaning friends, shall say that Hellas is ...

• Word Count: 1965
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... believes that women are fully human. That is, they are not natural slaves and have the full use of reason. The husbands rule over the woman in a marriage is similar to his political rule which is rule over free and equal persons, in which both the ruler and the ruled are free and equal. I could not agree with ... in politics can only do so if they have a share in the city's decision making. Aristotle thinks that not all people have the capacity to rule, in the best government, only an elite few will be citizens. I have to disagree simply because indeed not all citizens have the ability t...

• Word Count: 1586
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... be heard, and anyone with nothing to say may choose to remain silent" (1). This is equality when governing a city. If there is one person to rule every aspect and every person, what happens when a situation arises involving something that person has no knowledge in? That is when a city falls. There ... could speak freely in order to help, and if what they have to say is taken into consideration. Aristotle felt that the middle class should be the majority in a city. He felt that the "ordinary people" can work together collectively and contribute more than the "few best" (11). " each indi...

• Word Count: 662
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... remembering, quick to learn, high-minded, graceful, and a friend and relative of truth, justice, courage, and moderation- (Plato 161), and thus fit to rule. Plato's political system is not concerned with promoting liberty and equal distribution of power. " [I]t isn't the laws concern to make any one class in the ... better rules the worse is properly called moderate and self-controlled Now, one finds all kinds of diverse desires in those of the inferior majority who are called free But you meet with the desires that are simple, measured, and directed by calculation in accordance with und...

• Word Count: 1970
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... contempt for democracy". (Winspear and Silverberg) Socrates believed that not all individuals should be equal because most of the society lacked knowledge and that only those who are wise should rule all of Athens. Indeed he taught his students to challenge the norms. However, the charge of corrupting the youth in my opinion was wrong. Socrates "students" are not his full ... to be given the death sentence. (Linder) Through the conviction and his death, Socrates showed the failure of democracy. The jury or majority rule convicted him when he should not have been tried at all. Therefore ...

• Word Count: 944
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... remembering, quick to learn, high-minded, graceful, and a friend and relative of truth, justice, courage, and moderation- (Plato 161), and thus fit to rule. Plato's political system is not concerned with promoting liberty and equal distribution of power. " [I]t isn't the laws concern to make any one class in the ... better rules the worse is properly called moderate and self-controlled Now, one finds all kinds of diverse desires in those of the inferior majority who are called free But you meet with the desires that are simple, measured, and directed by calculation in accordance with und...

• Word Count: 1909
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... views of other people because of their own freedom of speech. This was the society in which Socrates lived. Socrates was a philosopher who believed that only those who know should rule the people. In other words, the people are not capable of government participation because they do not have the knowledge to do so. According to this philosophy, democracy is not ... example of the hypocrisy of the great democracy of Athens, that the citizens adored and loved so dearly. Socrates also disagreed with the idea of "majority rules,"" yet he was convicted by a jury that used the "majority rule-...

• Word Count: 2295
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... final characteristic of the democracy Socrates addresses is tolerance. This tolerance is only thought to be complete if it is working for the benefit of the majority (558b). While each of these comprising elements appears to create a balanced and ideal society, it is the rise of the idler and his inherent ... , and the dominant appetites of the people. These inherent weaknesses are so glaring because they all come together and allow for improper rulers to rule, and they put people in positions that they are not supposed to be in. The problem the democracy encounters with their courts of...

• Word Count: 893
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... not apply to their political opponents that typically argue for censorship. - Unlike Bork, he feels that protection of the first amendment is protection of the "anti-majority" LT: Best to let free speech reign and have people learn to argue their case against racial slurs etc. Creates a more empowered society. Restricting speech ... around) - Justice is a certain configuration of the soul: specifically, the part of your soul that is wise, and the part that is courageous, rule over the part that wants everything and anything it can get its hands on. Weakness of the will is when this orde...

• Word Count: 6291
• Approx Pages: 25
• Grade Level: High School

... . In his funeral oration, Pericles says Athens "is called a democracy because it is managed not for a few people, but for the majority" (40). Here, Pericles defines democracy as a political system that functions to benefit the general citizenry as opposed to the few elite. Spoken ... of its political ideology that gives power to the people. Pericles seems to suggest that Athens' democracy characterizes its greatness, making it fit to rule an empire. Differing from Pericles' view, the Athenian representatives at Melos justify their empire as a universal phenomenon. They assert "nature alwa...

• Word Count: 923
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... in harmony, can there be a just man. He proved this by paralleling a "just man" with that of a "just society"; wisdom, the mind or to rule and make decisions, courage, the heart, enforces the decisions, and temperance, the body, the people who follow the rules. Together these components, working together in unison ... some things that are more pleasurable, or painful alike, then others, in other words, more intense, but all are fueled by desire. Therefore whatever the majority of the people are happy with, will be justice. "No intelligent human being would consent to be a fool." He clarif...

• Word Count: 1528
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... to do the right thing while giving an amazing argument on philosophy and morality. In his argument, Crito explains that people's opinions can harm others. The majority of men in Athens will think that Crito and other friends of Socrates are cheap. He also points out that money is not a concern, many ... subject. Socrates proves this with the example of an athlete. An athlete should pay attention to the opinions of doctors and physical trainers not the majority of the public (47). Socrates explains that money is not an important matter or the amount of people that are willing to help. Th...

• Word Count: 948
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... fact coincide with Socrates" argument for obedience. Throughout "Apology," Socrates continued to bring up the issue of majority rule and the problems associated with the idea of an ideal democracy. In his opinion, just because there was a majority consensus on certain issues didn't mean that this majority consensus was always correct. This idea directly parallels to Thoreau's suggestion that "there is but little virtue ... ...

• Word Count: 557
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... politics. These types of individuals are the main reasons for the existence of the world's injustice. Most politicians are only concerned about satisfying the majority group, or their own group's interests. The problem that this causes is that a whole other group of people is not being represented, ... Plato's The Apology in order to show that it is not possible for justice to exist in the political world, due to the majoritarian rule of politics, and the types of individuals leading it. The first important task, before continuing this essay, is to define justice. According to ... his es...

• Word Count: 1577
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... the desires and temptations of the people reading it. In Plato's Republic, he argues that politicians in a democracy to the same thing in order to gain votes. Democracy is the rule of the people. Many examples of democracies exist in the world today and most people tend to think that a country ruled by a democracy is the most enlightened and good. But ... social welfare budget. The war may well happen, but for the society lack of healthcare will become a pressing problem. People would say that because the masses are by definition the majority of the people, they have the right to vote i...

• Word Count: 1059
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... ", the intelligible realm. One could relate this statement to the way in which government feeds half truths, lies and propaganda to the masses in order to keep them under their rule and from gaining further knowledge or truths. I absolutely agree with Plato on this point, that we should look beyond that which is put before us and seek further knowledge. This ... portrays gaining knowledge of the forms by leaving the cave and going into the sunlight. In the back of the cave, where it is dark, the masses of people, the majority of the city are facing the back wall. They are shackled down w...

• Word Count: 1717
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... obviously thinking for ways to better himself and not in the good welfare of his friend. Crito also comments on how the majority would frown upon both of their actions. Socrates responds by saying that the opinions of the majority are not of any concern to him. The people he cares for are of the minority because they "will believe that things ... others who speak well" (706,723). Kreon becomes defensive to the words of his son and reiterates that he is the King and no one else has the right to rule the land. Kreon states, "And shall the city tell me what I should command?" (Antigone 734...

• Word Count: 1633
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... to Crito's statement and also gives two arguments of his own defending the belief that escaping from prison would be wrong. Unlike Crito, who highly regards the opinions of the majority, Socrates believes that one should value the opinions of only a select few, who have knowledge of the subject that is being debated. He doesn't believe we should listen to just ... are offering an opinion on, thus arises the belief that not everyone's opinion should be valued equally. From this reasoning Socrates comes to the conclusion: therefore we shouldn't believe the majority in why escape would be ...

• Word Count: 3636
• Approx Pages: 15
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School