Gandhi and Hitler: Two Moral Opposites
One was one of humankind 's biggest enemies; the other was a great soul. These two men provide a clear understanding of Plato 's concept of harmony and how it relates to the cardinal virtues. Plato viewed harmony as the salvation of the state and the individual, while division encouraged by the inconsistency of personal interests with those of the state is the devastation of the same (Dunkle, 1986). He also believed that the way to make the most of ourselves as individuals is to rid ourselves of certain desires that are of the "want" nature and that are contrary to the principles of courage, temperance, wisdom, and justice: Plato 's cardinal virtues (Denise, White, and Peterfreund, 2008, p. 14). In this essay I will demonstrate that Plato 's theory can still be applied to modern society.
The first man is Adolph Hitler. Hitler ruled Germany from 1933, as appointed chancellor until he committed suicide in 1945. Hitler 's beliefs led to the killing of over 11 million Jews, homosexuals, Jehovah 's Witnesses, Afro-Europeans, Polish citizens, Gypsies, and disabled people (Schwartz, 1997). According to Plato 's view, Hitler never achieved harmony as an individual. He failed to balance justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage. He did a disservice to himself and to his country. He was unable to control his desires and let justice take its place. His idea of a pure race filled with perfect (genetically and physically) people led to one of the worst genocides in human history: the holocaust. He proved to be unjust: justice never leads to the killing of innocent people. He proved to be a carrier of no knowledge of Good or restraint: without justice, Good is incomplete. His last act of taking his life proved him to be a coward. Hitler was unable to die for his beliefs. Rather, he died not to face the consequences of his wrongdoing.
The other man is Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was an Indian nationalist and spiritual leader who ultimately led India to freedom from English rule
The first man is Adolph Hitler. Hitler ruled Germany from 1933, as appointed chancellor until he committed suicide in 1945. Hitler 's beliefs led to the killing of over 11 million Jews, homosexuals, Jehovah 's Witnesses, Afro-Europeans, Polish citizens, Gypsies, and disabled people (Schwartz, 1997). According to Plato 's view, Hitler never achieved harmony as an individual. He failed to balance justice, wisdom, temperance, and courage. He did a disservice to himself and to his country. He was unable to control his desires and let justice take its place. His idea of a pure race filled with perfect (genetically and physically) people led to one of the worst genocides in human history: the holocaust. He proved to be unjust: justice never leads to the killing of innocent people. He proved to be a carrier of no knowledge of Good or restraint: without justice, Good is incomplete. His last act of taking his life proved him to be a coward. Hitler was unable to die for his beliefs. Rather, he died not to face the consequences of his wrongdoing.
The other man is Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was an Indian nationalist and spiritual leader who ultimately led India to freedom from English rule
Cited: atta, V. (2006, October 8). Spectrum. Retrieved September 7, 2008, from The Tribune Web site: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061008/spectrum/book1.htDenise, T., White, N., & Peterfreund, S. (2008). Great Traditions in Ethics. Thompsom Wadsworth. Dunkle, Roger (1986). Republic. Retrieved September 7, 2008, from AbleMedia Web site: http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/netshots/republic.htmSchwartz, T. (1997). Holocaust Forgotten. Retrieved September 7, 2008, from Holocaust Forgotten Web site: http://www.holocaustforgotten.com/non-jewishvictims.htm