What kind of political system did Socrates want?

In Plato’s Republic, Socrates is highly critical of democracy and proposes an aristocracy ruled by philosopher-kings.

What is government to Socrates?

A free government is only sustainable if citizens can govern themselves. Socrates patiently revealed, through conversations that held a mirror up to fellow citizens, that they did not sufficiently understand such basic concepts as justice, piety, virtue, truth, and goodness when applied to themselves.

What was Socrates alternative to democracy?

Plato’s Socrates argues that those who ought to govern are those who know about politics and know what politics is about, since political things are images of ideas. Socrates’ alternative to democracy is thu academic rather than an aristocratic elite—an elite of those who know.

What did Socrates believe about democracy?

Socrates rejected the democracies of his time, because he viewed them as a sort of mob rule – a system that follows citizens’ misguided impulses rather than pursuing the common good in a rational manner. Socrates argues that society won’t work until philosophers become leaders or our leaders become philosophers.

Why According to Socrates did he not enter the political life?

Unlike most Athenian men, Socrates has mostly kept aloof from politics and public affairs, preferring to interact with people on an individual level. He explains that this behavior results from a supernatural sign, an inner voice which comes to him and dissuades him from getting involved.

Why did the Athenians convict Socrates?

The trial of Socrates (399 BC) was held to determine the philosopher’s guilt of two charges: asebeia (impiety) against the pantheon of Athens, and corruption of the youth of the city-state; the accusers cited two impious acts by Socrates: “failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges” and “introducing new …

What was Socrates’s view of Athenian democracy?

Well, it is difficult to get a good handle on Socrates’s philosophy without relying on Plato; however, all sources (including Xenophon) agree that Socrates was associated with Critias, one of the Thirty Tyrants– in other words, we can safely assume that Socrates’s view of Athenian democracy was not terribly positive.

What were Plato’s political views on democracy?

For Plato, Democracy, was an inferior political system that ultimately, led to the unethical trial, conviction and execution of his Mentor Socrates. And despite his lionization by today’s Western public, Plato’s political views would probably offend many within the greater Public.

What is the best form of government according to Socrates?

It is worth looking carefully also at the Republic, where Socrates does say that the best government is one where philosophers are kings. But that hardly suffices as a full answer. Socrates also considers more likely and more possible forms of government.

What did Socrates do to corrupt the youth of Athens?

In Republic, Plato records that Socrates advocates rulership by philosophers. Thus the people of Athens blamed Socrates for corrupting the youth when his protege Critias and 29 buddies set up the reign of the “thirty tyrants”. 8 clever moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.