The Corrupt In Plato's The Republic

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This paper relies on the idea that the individual, not necessarily either good or bad, over time has a tendency to be “corrupt”. Corrupt in this paper will be used in a sense that the characteristics of the corrupt individual are contrary to the desired traits as defined by the society. Ibn Khaldun wrote that the royal authority needs to not exercise too much force. Corrupt would be the appropriate title to the royal authority who acts contrary and violently in this situation. Plato created positions based on the ruling parts of the souls. Guardians have certain expectations that merchants do not, but each must play their role to further the city. When a farmer refuses to act according to society’s dictation, the individual is corrupt. In …show more content…

Plato designs his society not with the intention of equality in terms of everyone having the same opportunities but with the idea that no group has the advantage of being happier than any other (Plato YEAR 103). Like happiness, Plato intends for his society to not have a group wealthier than any other, because there are consequences to the inequality including revolution, bad work, and revolution (Plato YEAR 105). Plato attempts to rectify this situation in his Kallipolis, because the structure of system is based on every citizen working in the position based upon their soul and a balance between different groups to create a single cohesive body. Yet, luxury and wealth throw off the system. “If you give an inch, they will take a mile” is an old saying that applies to the fact that there would be no way for materialism not to cause consequences. An individual, when allowed property, may attempted to expand their property and accumulate more to a point where that becomes a focus over performing as necessary to the city. Likewise, there will be others who will not gain at the rate as the wealthy which would result in resentment towards the system they feel that has wronged them. Together, the combination of poor productivity and revolution results in a recipe for disaster upon which no actual society can