M.G.M Law College: Plato'S Theory of Ideal State

M.G.
M LAW COLLEGE
PLATO’S THEORY OF
IDEAL STATE
By- Prisha Mayur Bauskar

Seat No. – 1003 Sem 2
Index
Who is Plato?
Plato’s Theory of Ideal State
Features of ideal state of Plato
Criticism of ideal state of Plato

Who is Plato?
 Plato (428-348 BC) is the one of the most
famous Greek Philosopher. He was a student
of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle.
 He was born in Athens, Greece. He had

written twenty books and dialogues.
 He founded his school called “Academy of

Athens” probably first university.
 His works also contain discussions in

aesthetics, politics, philosophy, theology,
cosmology, epistemology and the philosophy
of language.
 His academic was considered as the first
Western University, where he stressed the
importance of science and mathematics.
Because of this, he became known as the
“maker of mathematics”.
 His famous book was “The Republic” was

written in 375BC, concerning justice the
order and character of the just city state,
and the just man.
 He is also known for his Theory of ideas,

The ideal state and the Tripartition of the
soul.
Plato's Theory
of ideal state
 Plato has provided his theory of ideal state
in his famous book ‘The Republic’.
 Plato’s ideal state is based on certain

fundamental principles, such as-
classification of people into three classes,
i.e., Guardian Class, Auxiliaries and
Producing Class; establishment of justice;
state-regulated system of education;
communism of property and family.
 Plato’s concept of state is organic view i.e.

state is similar to an organism which
grows towards and ideal state. Ideal state
is ruled by Philosopher King who is
absolute.
The Republic of Plato has been interpreted as
Utopia to the end of all Utopias.
Plato has compared the construction of an ideal

state with an act of an artist who sketches an
ideal picture without concerning himself with the
fact whether individual characteristic features of
imaginative picture are to be found anywhere or
not?
In the same way, Plato has never thought of the

possibility of the institutions of his ideal state has
the capability of ever becoming a reality or not.
He has never thought of the impracticability of
his concept of ideal state.
Features of an ideal
state of Plato

Rule of Philosophy: Plato is of the view that in
an ideal state the philosopher-ruler should be
prominent. He should have a broaden vision of
unity of knowledge. Philosopher-kings are immune
from the provisions of law and public opinion.
 No Unqualified Absolutism: In Plato’s

concept of ideal state though there is neither any
restraint of law nor of public opinion over
philosopher-rulers, but that is not an unqualified
absolutism. It is not all despotism, because rule of
philosophy is not free from the basic articles of the
constitution.
 Control over the Education System:

Philosopher ruler should control the education
system in an ideal state.
4. System of Communism: Plato was of the
view that guardian class should live under
the system of communism of property and
family. The rulers and soldiers do not possess
any property of their own.
5. System of Communism: Plato was of the

view that guardian class should live under
the system of communism of property and
family. The rulers and soldiers do not
possess any property of their own.
6. Equality among Men and Women:

According to Plato, equal opportunities
should be given to both men and women for
their economic, social, intellectual and
political uplift. It can be said that Plato can
be regarded to be the first feminist of his
time.
7. Justice in Ideal State: Justice is the main
feature of Plato’s Republic, and it is also present
in his ideal state. Justice is the bond which
binds every member of society together. It
forms a harmonious union of individuals.
8. Principle of Functional: Specialization

Plato is of the view that due to multiple wants;
an individual could not fulfill all his desires by
himself alone due to lack of capacity. Thus, co-
operation among individuals should be
necessary to satisfy their mutual desires. Some
people are specialized in performing some
certain tasks.
 Plato’s ideal state is a utopian state. It cannot be
realized in practice. His concepts of philosopher
king, communism of property and family are anti-
human in nature.
Criticism of  In Plato’s ideal state there was no provision for

law. The philosopher king was not bound by any
ideal state law.
of Plato  Plato’s ideal state was anti-democratic. In such a

state all powers were concentrated in the hand of
the philosopher king, or the guardian class and
opinions of other people were not given any
importance.
 Plato fails to condemn the institution of slavery

and regard it as fundamental evil.
 Plato built his ideal state on the analogy of individual and this identification
leads to confusion. He failed to distinguish ethics from politics. His ideal state is
based not merely on analogy but almost identification between the individual
and the state, which is quite wrong.
 Plato’s system of communism of women and temporary marriage is detestable

and unethical.
 Plato is a moralist rather than a political idealist. His assumption that the state
should control the entire lives of its citizens is false and contrary to human
liberty.
 By the system of functional specialization, Plato tends to dwarf the personality

of the individual. There is no possibility of any full development of human
personality in his ideal state.
Conclusion
 Plato came to the conclusion that all existing governments were bad and almost
beyond redemption thus he theorized for an ideal State. The ideal state,
according to Plato, is composed of three classes. The economic structure of the
state is maintained by the merchant class.
 In an attempt to re-evaluate Plato’s ideal state, this work re-emphasized the

relevance of transformative leadership as a necessary tool for societal good and
transformation. It urges for the adoption of the relevant areas of Plato’s concept
of an ideal State anchored on the prevailing need and realities of the
contemporary society.
Bibliography
https://player.uacdn.net/lesson-raw/QWIDVRKU3YZ9WYMX1YFT/pdf/54
45237217.pdf
https://www.scholarshipsads.com/blog/platos-ideal-state/
https://www.slideshare.net/IqraNaseer1/knowledge-and-opinion-ppt
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M.G.

By- Prisha Mayur Bauskar

Plato’s Theory of Ideal State

Features of ideal state of Plato

Criticism of ideal state of Plato

 He was born in Athens, Greece. He had

 He founded his school called “Academy of

 His works also contain discussions in

 His famous book was “The Republic” was

 He is also known for his Theory of ideas,

 Plato’s ideal state is based on certain

 Plato’s concept of state is organic view i.e.

Plato has compared the construction of an ideal

In the same way, Plato has never thought of the

 No Unqualified Absolutism: In Plato’s

 Control over the Education System:

5. System of Communism: Plato was of the

6. Equality among Men and Women:

8. Principle of Functional: Specialization

Criticism of  In Plato’s ideal state there was no provision for

of Plato  Plato’s ideal state was anti-democratic. In such a

 Plato fails to condemn the institution of slavery

 Plato’s system of communism of women and temporary marriage is detestable

 By the system of functional specialization, Plato tends to dwarf the personality

 In an attempt to re-evaluate Plato’s ideal state, this work re-emphasized the

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