The Republic
Plato
Review by Dakila Mae Cobacha
The argument thoroughly discussed in the Republic is identifying a clear definition of what really constitutes Justice and how would it be achieved. Thus, leads to the creation of ideal state, an imaginary one. Basically, the state is formed because of the notion that man is not self-sufficing and if ever a human is self-sufficing, he must either be a beast or a god. Perceptibly, the two aforementioned creatures are not part of the state. Therefore, the state is said to consist three classes of people: producers that is in charge for the sustenance of the society; army for its defense; and guardians as the ruling class (Villamar, 2010).
Plato’s attempt is to provide grounds for a possible and realistic policy in securing people’s welfare. Rulers are dominated by striving for wisdom. One cannot be a ruler unless he/she has wisdom and knowledge to rule. As he developed his argument, wide range of topics was associated in terms of social, educational, psychological, and moral in a philosophical context. He then explained that mathematics, ideally, is the best starting point of education.
The Principle of Specialization
Plato recognizes justice as structural. Individual justice dwells in the structure of the soul and political justice, in the structure of the city. It was emphasized that a just structure of the city is only determined by the principle of specialization wherein each member of the society must play his/her role for which nature best suits him/her. In this way, it is ensured that each job is done appropriately.
A person whose nature best suits to do tailoring, farming, fishing, or carpentry must only do their designated works and should not bother with any other sort of works. It implies that farmers are kept away from fishers, and the fishers from farmers.
Also, the principle of specialization separates society into three classes: the class of producers, warriors, and the rulers. Specialization ensures that these classes remain in a fix relation of power and influence. Rulers control the city by establishing laws. Warriors carry out the commands of rulers. Producers, meanwhile, stay out of political affairs, worrying themselves about the business of ruling as they need to obey what the rulers impose and the warriors enforce. Plato said that a city set up in this way, is a just city. (Sparknotes, 2012)