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Social Status In Plato’s Ideal State: Its Relevance To Nigerian Society
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 3]
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1:2 A BRIEF PROFILE OF PLATO
Plato was born in about 427 BC to
Ariston and Perictione, a wealthy aristocratic family, in Athens. He
grew up when Athens were in war conflict with the Spartans, which
started few years before his birth. His life ambition was to become a
politician. So, he joined the company of other young aristocrats who
studied under Socrates. He wished to find some better political
arrangement for his city. But Plato was disappointed by the way the
Athens treated his master, Socrates. After the death of Socrates, Plato
traveled to the Greek city of Megara, Mediterranean and returned to
Athens mentally richer.
He founded a philosophical school known to be
the first western European intellectual organisation.5 The academy
later became inclined to politics. That is why some ancient accounts
hold that the academy functioned in part as a political consultants’
group. This was so because Plato believed that ignorance is the cause of
those social and political evils in Athens. Therefore, the Athenian
bureaucrats need to be educated lest they continue to sin against
philosophy by killing another Socrates. Having traveled far and wide,
and experienced different types of governments, Plato found non of them
satisfactory; and so, he sought to formulate his dream state free from
the known errors. This is the background from which Plato propounded his
Ideal State. He died in Athens in about 348 BC.
1:3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
In
any existing human society, irrespective of time and place, there is
always politics. Because togetherness calls for orderliness; yet, any
ordered or well-organised society implies well-structured society. Every
society comprises of different people of different talents and
interests some doing one thing and others doing another, some leading,
others being led, yet cumulatively making a kind of anatomical whole.
Unfortunately,
Nigeria as a society does not appear to be ordered nor well organised.
This is, in a way, not because of the lack who does what, but because of
the prestige, honour, and status attached to what one possesses or
achieved has become more important than the need for better society.
That is why I chose Plato’s ideal state in portraying how social status
in Nigeria contributed towards the social situation in Nigeria today. I
so much believe that if the aim and spirit in which Plato created his
ideal state is followed in reevaluating and reconstructing our society.
It will lead to a harmonious and well-ordered society. Plato wanted a
society free from corruption, injustice, economic wastes (through
poverty and extreme riches), laziness, ignorance and other social evils.
He wanted a well structured and organised society where everyone from
any social class does his duty well.
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