Platonic Self-Knowledge and Democracy

The Best Case Scenario

Abstract

There is no shortage of scholarly options regarding Plato’s view of democracy; many of which believe Plato was opposed to democratic regimes. Among the potential problems Plato may have had with democracy the inability of the democratic city to provide its citizens with self-knowledge would be high on the list. The democrats love of freedom and continual satisfaction of unnecessary desires inevitably lead to a contradiction of their words in their deeds. That being said the democratic love of freedom and the institution it leads to are likely the best hope for those hoping to acquire self knowledge.

Discipline: Political Science Honours

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gaelan Murphy