Chapter 6 - The Political Sphere

Summary

This chapter examines the question of the role of politics in the philosophical life, rather than that of the role of philosophy in politics. Against both those who claim the Platonic philosopher will actively participate in politics and those who claim he will withdraw into a life of solitary contemplation, it argues that Plato adopted an intermediary position. While he was sceptical of the possibilities of genuinely political change and saw political office as a burden that the philosopher would not assume in the absence of external constraint, he consistently speaks of an intrinsic desire to make others good. Since he defines politics in the first instance as “care of the soul” rather than administering the state, there is room for the philosopher to be politically active through philosophical education designed to make others better without compromising his own happiness. This sort of compromise position is only possible under a democratic regime, which makes Plato lend qualified support to democracy for the freedom it provides, while condemning it for its deep flaws as a form of government.