Recent interpretations of Plato's social philosophy as fascistic

• Main Author: Browne, Benjamin Judson
• Language: en_US
• Published: Boston University 2018
• Subjects: Plato; Doctrine of Justice; Fascism; Political science
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2144/30830

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University === The purpose of this dissertation, stated in the first chapter, is to examine the recent interpretations of Plato's social philosophy as fascistic and to determine the validity of these interpretations relative to the whole structure of Plato's social thought. The term "recent" refers broadly to the period extending from the close of World War I to the close of World War II. The second chapter presents an exegesis of Plato's Doctrine of Justice as the key to a general understanding of his social and political perspective. It is pointed out that what he has to say about psychology and anthropology represents a microcosmic picture of what he believes about politics and sociology. His aim to achieve harmony in the individual soul is matched by his desire to bring unity to the political community. The latter is not only patterned after the former but, as a social ideal, it is also derived from it and dependent on it. The ideal State comes into being and social justice is established when the rulers bring harmony to their souls by the rule of reason and each individual is assigned to the task for which he is best suited. Thus, the Doctrine of Justice presents political as well as psychological facets germane to the evaluation of Plato's social philosophy and the attacks made against it [TRUNCATED]