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REFLECTION PAPER ON PLATO’S REPUBLIC

In the republic, Plato tried to imagine and make a most perfect just society. He argues that wisdom, which is based on truth, judgment, and reasons of a person, would make a just person and a just society, which would bring peace to the world. In his ideal society he believed that people would live harmoniously and there would no be violence. He divided the population of the society into three divisions or levels – the producers with bronze sash, the soldiers with silver sash, and the rulers with golden sash. And for each level he designated different types of education. The people were given their appropriate rank through the process of examination. He believes that, each person has his or her own area of expertise, which they can focus on. In his view a society is just in this manner, where people does only their designated roles and they do not interfere with the roles of the others. They keep their own boundaries in the society. His ideal government was an aristocracy. He believed that both men and women have the same souls and interest. The rulers with the golden sash are the philosophers, who have the wisdom to rule in order for a society to survive. They are the ones who have the knowledge to direct the society for benefit of all. The soldiers with the silver sash, upholds the authority, they are educated in both physical training and culture. And the producers with the bronze sash provide for themselves and for others. The people in that society, does not know who are their biological parents. He argues that they must treat one another as a family. They must look after each other as brothers and sisters. Having that argument for him means that there would be no violence among the people.

In my opinion, Plato’s republic is not achievable and it will never exist. He did not consider that people have their corrupt decisions in life. Humans always make the choice for their own sake and not for

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