Plato’s Republic
Government by the Best: The Best Type of government?
Socrates’ most famous pupil was a young man named
Plato. His school, called the Academy, was famous in the
classical world. Aristotle, who taught Alexander the
Great, had been Plato’s student at the Academy.
We know much about Plato’s teachings, because he wrote
about dialogues between Socrates and others exploring
philosophical issues. The most famous dialogue is The
Republic, which has become very influential in Western
philosophy. Essentially, it examines the ideal
government.
In The Republic, Plato divided humans into groups based on their intelligence, strength, and courage.
The largest groups were “Producers,” who were not overly bright, strong, or brave. Plato believed that
these people were suited for productive professions, such as farming and building. The “Auxiliaries,” a
smaller but still sizable group, were those who were somewhat bright, strong, and especially courageous.
They were suited for military and policing professions. The smallest group, those of extraordinary
intelligence, virtue, and bravery, whom he called “Guardians,” were suited to govern the state itself.
Plato’s ideal state was an aristocracy, a Greek word meaning “rule by the best.”
Plato believed that states, just like individuals, should possess courage, wisdom, temperance, and justice.
In the ideal state, “courage” characterized the Auxiliaries, and “wisdom” displayed itself in the
Guardians. A state had “temperance” if the lower groups obeyed the higher groups. A state was said to
be “just” if the lower groups were treated in a way that made them enjoy the authority exercised over
them.
Instructions:
1. In your notebook or on the back of this sheet, use a pyramid or a pie chart to show Plato’s different
classes: Producers, Guardians, and Auxiliaries. (Which groups should be bigger?) Inside or next to
the pyramid or pie chart, write down the modern jobs that would be in each of your sections.
2. What are the advantages of letting only those with strength, courage, and intelligence make decisions
for everyone in our society? What are the disadvantages?
3. Explain why you would/would not support a new constitution based on Plato’s Republic?