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Volume 3: A blow of destiny, the king appears Chapter 81: Utopia

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    The first split represents a division between the world of intelligence and sense, and the subsequent split represents a further division within these worlds: the part that represents the world of sense is cut into a part that represents real things and a part that represents reflection.  The parts, likewise, that represent the intelligent world are also cut into those that represent the overall form and those that represent reflection.

    Plato¡¯s metaphysics, especially his dualism that divided the world into intellectual and sensory parts, also inspired later Neoplatonic thinkers such as Plotinus and Gnostic, as well as many other metaphysical realists.

    Although this way of interpreting Plato's works (especially "The Republic") through metaphysics has been quite common in the history of Western philosophy, some people will also adopt a more conservative way to interpret Plato's statements, tending to interpret Plato's works in terms of epistemology.  A non-metaphysical way of interpreting the aforementioned allegories such as the Prisoner in the Cave and the Fable of the Thread.

    There is an obvious connection between the Parable of the Prisoner in the Cave and the life of Plato's teacher Socrates (who was murdered for enlightening the Athenians), and this example shows how complex and dramatic connotations are often buried in Plato's writings.  .

    Plato¡¯s ideal world theory points out that the real world we perceive is just a shadow reflecting a higher-level world.

    Plato advocated that the most ideal principle exists in this higher-level world, a form that realizes true light and not just shadow.  The sweetness of the food we taste is only the shadow reflected from the sweet truth, and the radiant sun we see is only the afterimage reflected in the form of the light body.

    Laws should be regarded as eternal things, that is, they are eternal, perfect, and static.

    Since they are perfect models, they have no reason to change or evolve.  Based on this logic, and the theory proposed by Plato, one can imagine that there is a higher state of good in the universe.  Any form in this state of perfection is the ultimate, or most perfect.

    All forms are assigned a part of the state of perfection, and all forms reflect a part of the truth in the real world.

    Plato's description of the nature of knowledge and learning in the Meno was also quite influential. He explored whether virtue could be taught and what it was, and explained the use of recollection and learning to discover existing knowledge.  , and he also explores how to explain opinions that are correct but have no clear evidence.

    Plato believed that knowledge is innate, so learning is just to unearth the ideals originally buried deep in the soul. This excavation process is often guided by philosophers.

    Plato believed that every soul was born with the form of the Supreme Good and perfect knowledge of all things, and therefore simply recalled this knowledge when they learned.

    Plato believed that we cannot have a true understanding of things that change and flow.  We have only opinions or opinions about them, and the only ones we can really understand are those forms or ideas that we can understand with our intellect.

    Therefore, Plato believed that knowledge is fixed and certain, and there can be no wrong knowledge.  But opinions can be wrong.

    Plato held that knowledge itself is grounded and true belief.  This theory also greatly influenced the subsequent development of the theory of knowledge.

    In "Theaetetus" Plato argued that simple belief should be distinguished from knowledge because it has not yet gone through the process of justification.

    Plato clearly distinguished the difference between knowledge that can be determined, and belief that cannot be determined. Faith comes from the illusion shaped by the ever-changing world of senses, while knowledge comes from the eternal world of forms.

    Plato¡¯s philosophy also involves many real social issues, especially regarding ideal countries or governments.  There are some inconsistencies between Plato's earlier and later writings in this regard.

    Plato¡¯s middle work ¡°The Republic¡± contains most of his well-known political principles, as well as his later ¡°Laws¡±.

    However, especially all the dialogues were written by Plato.  It is generally assumed that many of the arguments in the dialogues are actually Plato's own views.  However, sometimes this assumption may not be correct.

    Speaking through the character of Socrates, Plato advocated that a society should be divided into three parts: desire, courage, and reason, just like the structure of an individual's mind.

    Produced (labor): general laborers, carpenters, plumbers, masons, farmers, farm workers, etc.  These works correspond partly to the desires of the soul.

    Defensive (soldiers or reservists) - those who are adventurous, brave and strong.  Take a job in the military.  These works correspond to the courageous part of the soul.

    Rulers (rulers or defenders) - those who are smart, rational, self-controlled, and wisdom-loving, and are suitable for making decisions for the community.  These works correspond to the rational part of the soul, and there are very few people who meet this condition.

    According to Plato, the Athenian democracy he lived in at that time did not meet this condition.  Because he believed that only a few people were suitable for the work of governing.

    Plato did not resort to beautifying and persuasive arguments, but simply declared that wisdom should rule.  but.  Plato's system is not identical with dictatorship, tyranny, and oligarchy.

    As he emphasized: Unless we can be ruled by philosophers as kings, or those who are now called kings truly and properly study philosophy, political power and philosophy can be completely integrated, and those who are now only engaged in politics will  Those who do not study philosophy, or who only study philosophy but do not engage in politics, are completely expelled. Otherwise, our city-state will never gain peace, and mankind will not be free from evil disasters.  "Utopia"

    Plato defined these philosopher-kings as those who loved truth in the Republic, and justified this assertion with the allegory of the captain and his ship, or of the physician and his medicine, since neither sailing nor healing is for everyone  Professionals who can be qualified to practice governance should also be carried out by professional people.

    A large part of "Utopia" is focused on constructing an educational system, hoping to use this educational system to cultivate philosopher kings suitable for ruling.

    However, it is worth noting that the ideal country constructed in "Utopia", as defined by Socrates, is an "Utopia" that is determined by testing the level of justice and injustice in a city-state.

    According to Socrates, a true and healthy city-state should be based on the description in the second volume of "The Republic" and include farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and wage-earning employees, but there is no ruling philosopher-king class.  , and there are no other elegant things such as perfumes, spices, prostitutes, cakes, etc., as well as no paintings, gold, ivory, couches, and many other professions such as poets, hunters, and warriors.

    In addition, the ideal country is used as a symbol to represent the synthesis of a person's inner will, reason, and desires.

    Socrates tried to create an image of a legitimate and orderly person, and used it to describe how different forms of people should be observed, from monarchs to misers in different city-states.

    Socrates did not advocate an ideal city-state, but only used it to highlight the differences between different people and their mental states.

    However, the concept of the philosopher king was used by many people after Plato to justify their personal political thoughts.
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