Explain Platos criticism of democracy as a form of government.

How sympathetic are you

to this critical view?

Tempting to take socrates/Platos view

But Socrates is in a group talking & sharing ideas-> democratic process
Socrates can envision that; unless hes a guardian -> he doesnt kno anything
If Plato/Socrates is a philosopher taking to non philosopher who can be persuaded &
moved, then ppl r capable of changing
Therefore ppl being born & predetermined cannot be true cuz ppl, like those hes
conversing w/, r capable of changing, being convinced, etc
Ppl r more than just reason, appetites, & spirits cuz act on all 3 at different times
If can act of all 3 then no specific person should be supreme ruler rather than a
democracy where all 3 r at play
Plato admits that all 3 need balance/harmony
Democracy most stable + peaceful + meaning
Dem is flexible to changes & can bring out ppls tru nature + get ppl to act when duty
calls (ie war, hurricanes, etc)
Dem is stronger unity/conception of connection & greater good than Kallipolis
Platos idea is to build best soul, dem can bring everyone to that (not just guardians) cuz
everyone capable of change + open ears & mind in dem -> able to move ppl & their souls
Souls can be cleaned in dem much faster

Part 1: Platos Criticism (Book 4)

Background
Not concerned w/ gov as a protector of individual rights & running things smoothly
Focused on social harmony & overall peace + state of the soul of each & every individual

Justice: adherence to certain rules which enable a group to act in common/harmony (Book 1;
Book 4)
1. Justice is a virtue of the soul
2. Virtue of the soul = health of the soul
3. Justice is desirable

Soul: (1) reason, (2) spirits, (3) appetites

1. Reason is the aspect of humans that should guide humanity
2. Some people are better at being reasonable than others
3. People who are guided purely by reason (guardians) should rule
a. Guardians can guide ppl in right direction to purifying the sould & being good ppl
4. Guardians rule Democracy
Prong 1: Equality
1. Peoples souls have reason, spirits, & appetites
2. Reason is considered the best & the one to guide/trump everything
3. People have different tendencies b/t 3
a. More likely to follow 1 of 3
4. Democracy provides all ppl w/ same status
5. Democracy makes no distinction b/t reason, spirits, & appetites when reason should reign
supreme

Prong 2: Disunity
1. Democracy promotes ppl of different interests & tendencies by allowing governing
participation
2. People want to promote their different interests (exc guardians)
3. People promote different interests & that divides society

Prong 3: Rule by Ignorance

1. Democracy makes no distinction b/t ppl of different capacities & tendencies: 1 vote per
person
2. Some ppl are not as capable of making good decisions
3. Democracy means that bad decisions can be made by providing those that cant make
good decisions w/ a medium: rule by ignorance