Platos Criticism of Democracy Essay -- Plato

Platos Criticism of DemocracyDo not be angry with me for speaking the truth no man will pull through who genuinely opposes you or any other crowd and prevents the occurrence of umpteen unjust and illegal happenings in the city. A man who really fights for arbitrator must lead a private, not a public, life if he is to survive for even a short time. (Apology 31e-32a) These are the words of Socrates, who utter before the Athenian jury in the trial that would, ultimately, condemn him to his death. through works such as the Apology and The Republic, we can see Platos distaste of the concept of body politic. Why does he consider state to be so flawed? Let us look through his declare eyes and see what his individual criticisms are, and determine if the very concept of land is as flawed as he believes it to be. One of the contemporary definitions of democracy today is as follows Government by the stack, exercised either directly or through elected representatives Rule by the major ity (Democracy Def.1,4). Democracy, as a form of government, was a radical idea when it manifested some(prenominal) governments in the early history of the world were totalitarian or tyrannical in nature, due to overarching beliefs that the strong ruled over the weak.Although the Greeks coined the word democracy the words demos people and kratos rule conjoined together to mean, literally, rule by the people there is speculation about weather or not sealed other peoples, such as the Sumerians and the Indians, managed to engage in democratic methods of establishment first. However, the history of democracy is not what is being discussed here we are focal point on Platos criticism of democracy, particularly with regards to the Athenian model and his... ...n life. However, Platos criticisms should be kept in mind when determining the merit of a democratic government. Oh, would it not be great to have a democracy of philosophers, who would pursue truth and wisdom Alas, we are only human, and susceptible to many evils and lies. The trick is to prevent such ignorant people from becoming the majority. At times, it seems nigh impossible to do so curse our stupidity whole kit and caboodle CITED Democracy. Def.1,4. The American Heritage Dictionary. 2nd college ed. 1991. Plato. The Apology. Five Dialogues Euthyphro, Apology, Cito, Meno, Phaedo. 2nd ed. Trans. Grube, G.M.A. Indianapolis Hackett publish Company, Inc, 2002. 36.Gorgias. Trans. Helmbold, W.C. Indianapolis Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc, 1952. 18-19, 32-48.Book V. The Republic of Plato. Trans. Bloom, Allan. New York Basic Books Inc, 1968. 153-154.