Philosopher-kings | TriviaQuestions.online

⭐ In the context of *Republic*, philosopher-kings are primarily distinguished from other potential rulers by their commitment to what core principle?

Plato argued that true leadership requires a deep understanding of justice and the ideal forms, which only philosophers, through rigorous training and reason, could attain, making them uniquely suited to rule Kallipolis.

⭐ Core Definition: Philosopher-kings

The philosopher king is a hypothetical ruler in whom political skill is combined with philosophical knowledge. The concept of a city-state ruled by philosophers is first explored in Plato's Republic, written around 375 BC. Plato argued that the ideal state – one which ensured the maximum possible happiness for all its citizens – could only be brought into being by a ruler possessed of absolute knowledge, obtained through philosophical study. From the Middle Ages onwards, Islamic and Jewish authors expanded on the theory, adapting it to suit their own conceptions of the perfect ruler.

Several historical figures, including Marcus Aurelius and Ashoka the Great, have been described by ancient and modern writers as embodying the philosopher king ideal.

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👉 Philosopher-kings in the context of Republic (Plato)

The Republic (Ancient Greek: Πολιτεία, romanized: Politeia; Latin: De Republica) is a Socratic dialogue authored by Plato around 375 BC, concerning justice (dikaiosúnē), the order and character of the just city-state, and the just man. It is Plato's best-known work, and one of the world's most influential works of philosophy and political theory, both intellectually and historically.

In the dialogue, Socrates discusses with various Athenians and foreigners the meaning of justice and whether the just man is happier than the unjust man. He considers the natures of existing regimes and then proposes a series of hypothetical cities in comparison, culminating in Kallipolis (Καλλίπολις), a utopian city-state ruled by a class of philosopher-kings. They also discuss ageing, love, theory of forms, the immortality of the soul, and the role of the philosopher and of poetry in society. The dialogue's setting seems to be the time of the Peloponnesian War.

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Philosopher-kings in the context of "Republic (Plato)"

⭐ In the context of Republic, philosopher-kings are primarily distinguished from other potential rulers by their commitment to what core principle?

⭐ Core Definition: Philosopher-kings

👉 Philosopher-kings in the context of Republic (Plato)