A Member of an Ideal State - Aristotle’s “Citizens” and Mencius’s “Four People” -

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Sang Ik Lee
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
Dominic Scott

This chapter presents a reading of Plato’s Republic. The Republic is among Plato’s most complex works. From its title, the first-time reader will expect a dialogue about political theory, yet the work starts from the perspective of the individual, coming to focus on the question of how, if at all, justice contributes to an agent’s happiness. Only after this question has been fully set out does the work evolve into an investigation of politics—of the ideal state and of the institutions that sustain it, especially those having to do with education. But the interest in individual justice and happiness is never left behind. Rather, the work weaves in and out of the two perspectives, individual and political, right through to its conclusion. All this may leave one wondering about the unity of the work. The chapter shows that, despite the enormous range of topics discussed, the Republic fits together as a coherent whole.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
A. C. Grayling

AbstractAs part of the roundtable “World Peace (And How We Can Achieve It),” this essay argues that an ideal state of peace might not be attainable, but a positive form of peace could be achieved on a global scale if states and peoples made a serious investment—comparable to their investment in military expenditure—in promoting the kind of mutual cultural understanding that reduces tensions and divisions and fosters cooperation. Peacemaking usually focuses on diplomatic and military détente; the argument in this essay is that these endeavors, though obviously important, are not by themselves enough for the best attainable kind of peace, for which the further and even more important aim of cultural entente is essential. This implies that peacemaking activities need to apply vastly more effort to intercultural and interpersonal exchange and education.


2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 804-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M. Kueper ◽  
Charles R. Blinn ◽  
Michael A. Kilgore
Keyword(s):  

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
Imam Sukardi

The political concept of Alfarabi is derivated from the concept of Platonic, Aristotelian, and Islam. The ideal state is the state which is elaborated the universal values of humanism, not just limited to certain ethnic and nation which is emphasizing its obedience just to God, not the something else. In this paper, the writer tried to interpret the original works of Alfarabi which is directly related to his political thought and the other thinkers who are studying his political thought. In his political thought, Alfarabi emphasized that the main purpose of the state is to make the social-welfare for its citizens. Based on the organic theory, Alfarabi stated that the government of the state is just look-like the human organism system. In which, each of the existing element functioned to strengthen each other to achieve one goal. The ideal state for Alfarabi is the state which is having the goals for its citizen welfare, and who become the prime leader is a philosopher, who is having the prophetic character, having the wider knowledge, and able to communicate with al 'aql al fa’al trough al ‘aql mustafad. 


Slovene ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-226
Author(s):  
Piotr Kuligowski

This article addresses the question of the utopian impulse in Ludwik Królikowski’s work and thought, with particular reference to its transnational dimension. By providing a holistic view of his entire life and sketching his biographical background, this study reveals Królikowski’s principal inspirations and the reasons for his changes of mind, and in so doing, presents him against the background of various intersecting currents of thought. With regard to Królikowski’s utopianism, it is argued that he rejected the canons typical for Renaissance and Enlightenment reflections on the ideal state, in which visions of spotless, well-organized cities dominated. The Polish thinker was instead interested in Christianity and extolled spontaneous human activities, which would be in accordance with the will of God only if they were pursued freely, without any coercion. As analysis of his works reveals, he expounded a vision of utopia (primarily called “the Kingdom of God”) beyond time and space, without any consideration of the material conditions for its existence. In developing his views, Królikowski was inspired by Saint-Simonism, the Icarian movement, and ongoing discussions of the Polish and Slavic questions. These three main dimensions, interwoven with intermittent failures and reflections embarked upon anew, constituted the intellectual space in which his unique propositions were made.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-195
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zulifan

This study examines the correlation between Islamic doctrine of the concept of state and government system with the ambition of some Muslims to revive sharia values in a country. Literature research methodology is employed to explore ideas of Islamic political thinkers, ranging from classical and medieval, era such as al-Farabi, al-Mawardi, Ibn Taymiyyah, to the modern era and contemporary scholars, such as al-Attas, Fazlur Rahman, and Arkoun. The validity of the democratic system and the form of an ideal state for Muslims are debatable among Muslim scholars. The concept of civil society that becomes a manifestation of civil society is believed to have been practiced in the historical period of Islamic government.


1940 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
Sir Patrick Duncan
Keyword(s):  

1928 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tate

It has become a standing reproach upon Plato's treatment of poetry in the Republic that he forgets or misrepresents in the tenth book what he said in the third.According to the earlier discussion, poetry is required to perform important services in the ideal state; its subject-matter will make the young familiar with true doctrines (376 sqq.); its style will reflect the qualities proper to the character of guardian, and therefore—by the principle of imitation—induce and confirm such qualities in the souls of young and old (392c sqq.). Poetry, like all other forms of art, must train the young to love and resemble the beauty of truth (τῷ καλῷ λόγῳ, 401d), so that when reason develops, they will recognize it as an old friend (402).


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