Plato as critical theorist
By: Jonny Thakkar
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: 2018
Language: eng
Number of pages: 373
ISBN-13: 9780674971769
Copyright date: 2018
Subjects: Platonists; Philosopher-kings; Political participation; Liberalism; Political ethics
Description: Is there any point in thinking about the best possible society? Over the last decade or so, a number of political philosophers have argued that such "ideal theory" is a dangerous distraction from the concrete power struggles that make up "real politics." Jonny Thakkar takes a different view, arguing that each and every one of us has a duty to engage in ideal theory. To make that case he turns to Plato's Republic, which depicts an ideal society within which ideal theory itself plays a vital role, thanks to the institution of philosopher-kings. The first half of the book offers a careful but creative reading of the notion of rule by philosophers. The second half of the book argues that in today's liberal democracies what we need is not philosopher-kings but philosopher-citizens--citizens who reflect, both individually and together, on how they could work together to produce an environment conducive to flourishing. Plato as Critical Theorist argues that the notion of philosopher-citizens is not only compatible with Rawlsian political liberalism, but an advance on it.--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: What is philosophy for?; title: Why philosophers should rule; title: The beautiful city; title: Plato and Athens; title: Historical possibility; title: Philosopher-citizens; title: Moneymaking and malfunction; title: Conclusion.