Is Plato A Utopian Thinker - 765 Words

Before the discussion of whether Plato is a Utopian thinker is to be made, for the purposes of this essay, utopia is to be defined as ‘an imagined, functional place that possesses near perfect elements and qualities’. The discussion among philosophers at the beginning of Book 1 showing Plato’s search for the definition of justice, just soul, and just state is an indicator that he is a Utopian Thinker. Socrates’ response to Thrasymachus, â€Å"Justice is much more valuable than gold, and you must not think we shall slacken our efforts to it out of any idiotic deference to each other† (336e), shows how highly Plato considers justice and more importantly its definition. As justice is what he considers the ultimate form of good, the search itself for justice to live a ‘just’ life and his expectation for others to do so too is an argument for which Plato is a Utopian thinker. In exploring what a just city is in order to understand what a just soul is, Plato first acknowledges the fantasy of this utopia and then outlines it. Setting firmly that justice is most important, Plato acknowledges in discussion that the ‘just city’ to be described is an imagined one and â€Å"can never grow into a reality or see the light of day† (473c-d); this fulfills part of the first half of the definition of utopia that the just city is merely an imagined place. The ‘just city’ bases its values, structure, and function on an ideology of which Plato believes is the ultimate good, thus relating to the secondShow MoreRelatedLiberty And Freedom : Plato s View Of A Perfect Utopian State977 Words   |  4 Pages Liberty and Freedom: Plato The early philosopher Plato would not approve of today’s democracy in the United States. He envisions a time and state where all people are controlled by government. 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