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An Ideal State
Introduction
Conceptual, ideational, notional, hypothetical, theoretical, transcendent, flawless, indefectible, model, perfect. These are all words which hold the same meaning as ideal which, according to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary means, “A standard of beauty, perfection, or excellence; an ultimate object or aim of endeavor; existing as an archetypal idea.” But in the context of Plato’s conception of his ideal state, the most fitting synonym would be perfect or model and the most closely related definition would be something along the lines of, “a model of excellence or brilliance”. ... All of these criteron, in the end, illustrate clearly Plato’s notion of the perfect state, a model that is reather similar to my own with a few deviations.
Origins and Needs of the State
Plato’s Take
To begin understanding Plato’s ideal state, one must not delve right into it, but first have a strong foundation and comprehension about the beginnings of a state. ...
Socrates brings in his conceptual microscope and enlarges justice in the soul by describing justice in the state, in a community of souls. After justice is visible in the state, it can be illuminates in the souls of individuals. ... As state in Preliminaries 369c, “Let us make an imaginary sketch of the origin of the state. ... Socrates comes to the conclusion, “…That the minimum state would consist of our or five men” (preliminaries 369e). ...
My Take
I have to agree with Plato’s views of the beginnings of a state. ... I also agree that the simplest state could consist of just a few individuals, those who alone can produce the four or five basic requirements. The state would grow, as Socrates states, because one cannot produce all the tools he needs to complete his end goal or product. ... But he insists on purging the state of imitative literature in which storytellers pretend to be something that they are not. ... And brave warriors are required to protect a state, timorous ones will do no good. ... However, he argues that sexual differences are not significant in terms of running a state. ...
Plato justifies his abolishment of the family by saying that it is in the good of the state. ... Guardians must be trained to love the state first, foremost, and only. Brotherly love, love of the state, and love of wisdom are to be the guardians loves because they bring the greatest possible unity to the state. ...
Summary
In short, Plato’s ideal state is one where the state originates out of mans’ basic human necessities and grown due to the fact one man cannot make everything he needs to subsist. ... Because romantic love distracts from the good of the state, it, along with the family should be eradicated.
Approximate Word count = 2852
Approximate Pages = 11.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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