LAHORE:
Plato’s version of the ideal state has always been the most promising idea that has ever existed in political philosophy. He posited a view of an ideal state headed by philosopher kings. His political theory is a mixture of communism and capitalism.
According to Plato, philosophers are the mind of any state. They got through several tests and learnt many disciplines for several years. Since they are laid with the responsibility of running the ideal state, they are not supposed to have any property, nuptial life or children. All they have to do is to invest their lives for the betterment of the state. Only the merchant class has a right to own property and marry, merely because they are related to the economics of the state. The warrior class has a right to share property and women, which makes a woman no less than a mere commodity. Moreover, he believed that a ban should be imposed on the ruling class on marrying and bearing children and that every child should be handed over to the state for nourishment. He claimed that the human desire was the bone of contention. As long as the philosopher kings are free from it, they can run the state effectively.
But his claims are against human psychology. Desire or a will is an inherent part of human nature.
The purpose of Plato’s idea of abolishing the institution of marriage is to save the ruler class from the prejudices of favouritism and luxuries. Moreover, the idea that the state should be given the responsibility of nourishing and educating children is quite unnatural. Indubitably, only a mother can bring up her child better than anyone else. Plato’s ideal state might be an inspiring idea but is impossible to implement.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2022.
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