Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume 4

Note 14 — Chapter XXXVII · REPUBLIC — REMARKS ON THE PLATONIC COMMONWEALTH.

Reading edition

Plato, Republic, iv. pp. 420-421. The objection that the Guardians will have no happiness, is put by Plato into the mouth of Adeimantus, but is denied by Sokrates; who, however, says that even if it were true he could not admit it as applicable, since what he wishes is that the entire commonwealth shall be happy. Aristotle (Politic. ii. 5, 1264, 6-15) repeats the objection of Adeimantus, and declares that collective happiness (not enjoyed by some individuals) is impossible.

See the valuable chapter on Ideal Models in Politics (vol. ii. ch. xxii. p. 236 seq.) in Sir George Cornewall Lewis’s Treatise on the methods of Observation and Reasoning in Politics. The different ideal models framed by theorists ancient and modern, Plato among the number, are there collected, with judicious remarks in comparing and appreciating them.

Return to CHAPTER XXXVII. REPUBLIC — REMARKS ON THE PLATONIC COMMONWEALTH.Return to GENERAL INDEX.Return to GENERAL INDEX. (continued 2)Return to GENERAL INDEX. (continued 2)Return to GENERAL INDEX. (continued 3)Return to GENERAL INDEX. (continued 3)