"All goes wrong when, starved for lack of anything good in their own lives, men turn to public affairs hoping to snatch from thence the happiness they hunger for. They set about fighting for power and this ... conflict ruins them and their country. The life of true philosophy is the only one that looks down upon offices of state." -Plato, The Republic

Based on this passage, with which of the following statements would Plato agree?
a. Citizens are the best judges of who should rule over them.
b. People who seek public office cannot be trusted to act for the common good.

Question

"All goes wrong when, starved for lack of anything good in their own lives, men turn to public affairs hoping to snatch from thence the happiness they hunger for.  They set about fighting for power and this ...  conflict ruins them and their country.  The life of true philosophy is the only one that looks down upon offices of state." -Plato, The Republic

Based on this passage, with which of the following statements would Plato agree?
a. Citizens are the best judges of who should rule over them.
b. People who seek public office cannot be trusted to act for the common good.

jadareese_18 · Answer

c. Power is the best left in the hands of aristocracy because they know how to use it.
d. Philosophers should not hold public office because they do not respect it.

monomi · Answer

I'd say C. seems the most sensible. Plato wasn't that fond of loose democracy. He wanted people with exceptional skills and status to run the government. He feared that if just anyone was put into the government tyrants would be born.

jadareese_18 · Answer

Alright thank you so much @monomi

monomi · Answer

No problem, I hope you got it right! :)