Plato's Republic: Unjust to Humanity Thesis

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In his model, Plato is therefore unjust.

Just as his social and political arrangement of a city is inappropriate for humans, so too is his argument for the humans in that political and social arrangement. Most of his arguments for the individuals in this society can be found in his fifth book. While be first begins with the argument that men and women should be treated equally in education, occupation, and war -- a modern idea -- this furthers his unjust expectations of humans. It is an attempt to further dehumanize the humans that live in his society by refusing to acknowledge their emotional and human characteristics by acknowledging, instead, the characteristics that can be used to make use of them in society. In an even greater assault of these human ideas, Plato states that the wives of guardians will be chosen for them, as well as wondering how "marriages can be made most beneficial" (Plato Book V). In addition to this, Plato suggests that the sexual practices of the citizens be monitored in order to allow for the best offspring possible. Plato argues that "the best of either sex should be united with the best as often, and the inferior with the inferior, as seldom as possible; and that they should rear the offspring of the one sort of union, but not of the other, if the flock is to be maintained in first-rate condition.

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Now these goings on must be a secret which the rulers only know, or there will be a further danger of our herd, as the guardians may be termed, breaking out into rebellion" (Book V).

Thus, it is obvious that Plato's recommendations for individuals in his society are as extreme as his structuring of that society itself. While this may be just if just as defined as keeping citizens safe and making sure that the "best" of society is preserved, it relieves humanity of their art and their humanness. In both Plato's political and social structure, as well as his recommendations for individuals in that society, then, Plato presents an injustice -- bringing readers right back to the question posed at the beginning of The Republic: What is justice? What is the benefit of justice?

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