Ideal Characteristics of Platos Guardians - 1404 Words

Ideal Characteristics of Plato’s Guardians The characterisitics of the ideal guardian is summarized in those words by Socrates in the second book of the Republic : â€Å"[H]e who is to be a really good and noble guardian of the State will require to unite in himself philosophy and spirit and swiftness and strength. . .† Swiftness and strength is deemed necessary as the guardian is to be like a well-bred watchdog, who ought to be â€Å"quick to see, and swift to overtake the enemy when they see him, and strong too, if when they have caught him, they have to fight with him.† The requirement of ‘spirit’ is then derived from this, because if he is to fight well he ought to be brave, and Socrates finds that he is not likely to be brave who has not†¦show more content†¦Heroes should not be seen lamenting or fearing death. In short, only virtues which are desirable shall be depicted in their tales, and none that are undesirable which children migh t imitate. The gymnastic education that Socrates prescribes is not as complicated. He rather merely says that it would be sufficient for their purposes that those being reared to be guardians maintain a healthy diet and follow a simple exercise plan from youth. What is more emphasized by Socrates is that there should be balance in the study of both gymnastics and music, and that these studies should be properly harmonized. Those who neglect gymnastics will tend be soft, but on the other hand, those who likewise neglect music will tend to savagery. As Socrates says, â€Å"this ferocity only comes from spirit, which if rightly educated, would give courage, but, if too much intensified, is liable to become hard and brutal.† He continues, â€Å"On the other hand the philosopher will have the quality of gentleness. And this also, when too much indulged, will turn to softness, but, if educated rightly will be gentle and moderate.† Thus the traits that make a good guardian a re developed and nurtured through a good balance of musical and gymnastic education. That portion in the second book is where the qualities are actually first enumerated. The discussion will deviate a little in the third to the fifth books, and the subject will be brought up again in the sixth book. There SocratesShow MoreRelatedIdeal Characteristics of Platos Guardians1393 Words   |  6 PagesIdeal Characteristics of Plato’s Guardians The characterisitics of the ideal guardian is summarized in those words by Socrates in the second book of the Republic : â€Å"[H]e who is to be a really good and noble guardian of the State will require to unite in himself philosophy and spirit and swiftness and strength. . .† Swiftness and strength is deemed necessary as the guardian is to be like a well-bred watchdog, who ought to be â€Å"quick to see, and swift to overtake the enemy when they see him, and strongRead MoreComparison Between Plato And The Composition Of The Ideal City State1368 Words   |  6 Pages Plato and the Composition of the Ideal City-State in Parts I-III of The Republic Wei Ting Lee 500467076 Ryerson University Introduction Appearance versus reality is a pertinent theme in Plato’s dialogues. 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