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Social Status In Plato’s Ideal State: Its Relevance To Nigerian Society
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My purpose is not to reveal
which social class is inferior or superior to others; rather, I want to
demonstrate how a well organised society, in terms of attachment of
importance to one’s social status can aid development. I am trying to
portray that it can be of help when every one in any social class
considers his position and those of others as equally important, since
they make a complementary whole. No wonder Plato said that “quality and
quantity are more easily produced when a man specialises appropriately
on a single job for which he is naturally fitted.â€6
1:4 METHOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE WORK
To
bring out the necessary areas in creating the state, which are of
immediate relevance to the work. In the literature review, I brought out
two groups of philosophers; those who dealt with the analysis of the
operative concepts; and those who dealt with the method of social
stratification or status classification. Then I did a kind of
comparative study of social status and method of stratification in
Plato’s ideal state and what is obtainable in our Nigerian society. On
another note, the work look more sociological, yet, I sounded ethical in
certain areas, especially in chapters four and five. This is because;
my aim is to demonstrate how well structured society contributes to the
well-being of the society. And well-being is encompassing, including
religious and moral aspects of life.
Secondly, on the part of scope
covered, my area of interest in this work is limited to the
organisational patterns in the society. I used the social stratification
of citizens into different functional strata by Plato as a paradigm. It
is not because of its perfect nature; rather because of the aim and
spirit behind such stratification. I tried to use that pattern to
evaluate the Nigerian society, in terms of social classification of its
citizens into classes and the importance attached to them. To make the
work more clearly, I sighted some philosophers’ analysis of the
operative concepts and how some postulated theories on social status.
Due to the size of the work, I did not go into historical background of
the terms; rather, I limited myself more to its practical manifestations
in writings and practice.
Lastly, the work is divided into five
chapters. Chapter one is the general introduction. It gives an overview
of what is to be discoursed, source of inspiration, the aim, the angle
from which it is going to be approached, and how the work is divided.
Chapter two deals with revealing some philosophers’ conceptions of the
operative concepts and how it should be practiced. Plato’s ideal sate,
the aim of its postulation and the importance of social classification
in the state are the concern of chapter three. My own aim of dealing
with Plato’s ideal state was revealed in chapter four. Social status in
Nigeria, dimensions of the stratification, effects and social mobility
in Nigerian society are also treated in this chapter. Chapter five
handled the critical evaluations and then conclusion of the whole work:
it is here also that I made my own stand and opinion clear
1 B. Andy and B. Terry, Sociology Explained (U.K., Cambridge University Press, 1997), p. 65.
2 Plato, The Republic; translated by Desmond Lee London (The Penguin Books Ltd, 1987), p. 58.
3 Emphasis mine
4 Plato, Op. Cit, p. 138
5 S. E. Stumpf, Philosophy, History and Problem (McGraw-Hill: Inc., 5th ed., 1994, p.48
6 Plato, Op. cit. p. 60
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