Ancient and Medieval Political Theory - Essay Example

Ancient and Medieval Political Theory This paper is concerned with the political theory in the medieval era. It does analyze various authors and philosophers with regard to democracy and their views on justice and what It really is. It has various books of philosophy as pillars of analyzing democracy and justice in the society, especially the Greek society. The authors in question include, Plato John Rawls and so on. The various books in the analysis are Antigone, The Republic, and Gorgias. Socrates wants the judges and law makers to learn through investigation of individuals and says that what the public says about democracy and justice is not true. i The Greek way of distinguishing what justice and democracy really are, passes through the analyses of various philosophical minds. The definition of the same with regard to the Republic by Plato and the character Thyrasymachus is justice is “serving the interest of the stronger”, and secondly, is the obedience to the laws of one state”. However, Socrates thinks that the two assertions cannot be real explanations since the predicates they carry do conflict in one way or another. Plato rounds up by defining justice as “the greatest good”. In the definition of what democracy is, the philosopher, In Gorgias, through Socrates, Plato, thinks that “ a criminal who does wrong without receiving any punishment is the most wretched person of all” (Plato, 115) Through Socrates, Plato makes attempts that are repeated in a way in order to give good reason for the fact that justice is a tool meant to design all the needs of the people in the society who are powerful and rich. Consequently, Plato was able to prove that the justice had a liaison in the inherent meaning though acting in line with democracy. In that context Plato does claim that there is democracy in Athens which most people in their argument do attest to. He argues through Socrates, that in a society or country, or city that has democracy, it is not easy for an individual to get his or her justice. Plato: Republic He defined justice as a virtue that is helpful in the development of an order basis with proper integration of the societal role and does not make interference with any other societal part. The meaning as depicted sounds a bit controversial given the fact that it does relate to the meaning of justice in the traditional realm and the rationale developed basing on fair play. Plato thinks that political justice is “harmony in a structured political body” Justice is when three parts of the soul (spirited appetitive, and reasoning) work together in harmony, each of them doing their specific functions. For an individual who is just, reason rules while the part of appetites is in check. The meaning is grounded on various controversies that do contradict the rationale developed on fair play basis that looks at Plato’s conceptualization. In his conclusive argument and analysis the author thinks that justice holds a very strong part of the society. Apology: Socrates definition of Justice In Apology, Socrates thinks that the society is not just and that his accuses should be called fools who are appropriate in a state that is democratic. He does not support the issue of democracy and believes that an investigation on what one knows is what is just. Justice is not listening to what people say but investigating the accused and what he accused knows. He thinks that he is not a politician but a private citizen who is dignifiedii. Justice and democracy in the Antigone Sophocles does create his moral battle where man conquers nature. Indeed, he does conquer the world and all the laws in the land. The celebration of evolution in the social scene and democracy culmination in Athens is the portrayal that is given through Antigone. When Antigone fails to live to the expectations of the society, democratically he feels like he is not (l.211-12) the gravity of Polynices does promote the fact that the Athenian society lacks a proper definition of democracy. This emanates from the simple fact that burial rights were denied to the corpse was still justified. This was the death of Creole that brought all this controversy in the political realm and the palace. The royal family is no t left behind in the pro-democracy war. The actions show that Polynices is treacherous in nature in the eyes of the audience of Athens. In comparison, Plato depicted justice as a false value and not an authentic reflection of the true ethics put aside by the public. Accordingly, to justify the appropriate meaning of justice, Plato took reference from his virtue ethics theory in relation with his concept of happiness. Aristotle on Justice and democracy Aristotle is in support of Plato’s view by depicting the fact behind the issue that life that is virtuous can be led through living diversified lifestyles that the political community does provide. He analyses how democratic societies depict equality as compared to those that are not democratic. He adds that proper education make people have the audacity to learn about the political climate in their environs and society. There is one part in the book Apology, which gives evidence about the attitude of Socrates towards democracy in Athens. It is at 20e; Socrates compares the Chaerephon story inquiring from Delphi if she thought that anyone had more wisdom than Socrates. Socrates wants the jurors to learn through investigation of individuals and says that what the public says about democracy and justice is not true. He does seek to come up with a dialectical, conversational relationship among people working in the law chambers which gives privilege to individual awareness and knowledge and rejects what the people think. I do agree with the statement above because at times, people might support ideologies that are wrong and the court lacks an option other than taking that s their democratic right. He is right to say that what an individual knows is enough to show justice and does not promote the issue of a government by the people. Another author that I can refer to strengthen my stand is John Rawls since he thinks that justice is fairness where a society that has free citizens holds equal rights while cooperating within an economic system with egalitarian tendencies. John’s account of liberalism in politics does address legitimate use of power that is political, in a democracy while targeting to show how to achieve enduring unity in spite of worldview diversity that institutions, which are free do allow. Socrates opinions do not present the opinions of Plato given they are different definitions of what justice and democracy do entail. Plato does advocate for a democracy where the voice of the people is considered while Socrates thinks that an individual’s knowledge is enough to make a society just. The concurrent existence of democracy and justice, as the two most significant parts of any political system, has long an item of discussion by experts and theorists through various dimensions in the global plethora. However, the political system of any economy is nun functional without strong and sound system of the judiciary. It also must give room for the required dignity to the citizens in order for them to be in a position of showing respect to any form of democracy. Conclusion In comparing Plato, John Rawls and Aristotle, one can notice that justice entails a powerful society section. The very power being discussed in this is achieved from making a society or a political nature that does promote issues to do with individual strength and political maturity. Plato does try to promote issues like democracy given he looks at the positive side of justice and democracy. Unlike oligarchy, the people who are strong numerically enjoy the justice advantages of replaced by people who are strong politically that manipulate equality and justice. In conclusion, in modern times, people consider democracy as an ideal form of government considering the value that they tend to put on individual liberty and freedom to make a choice of the path in life they wish to take. Plato’s criticism and though needs to be considered in determining the advantages of a democratic government. Having a democracy of philosophers who pursue wisdom and truth may be a thing to put in mind too. All humans are susceptible to lies and evil. The trick is preventing such ignorant people from taking many slots in a government or institution of ruling. The concurrent existence of democracy and justice, as the two most significant parts of any political system, has long an item of discussion by experts and theorists through various dimensions in the global plethora. Socrates wants the jurors to learn through investigation of individuals and says that what the public says about democracy and justice is not true. Finally, Sophocles does create his moral battle where man conquers nature. Indeed, he does conquer the world and all the laws in the land and rules that democracy should not be entertained. Bibliography George, Victor. 2010. Major thinkers in welfare: contemporary issues in historical perspective. Bristol, UK: Policy Press. iii Read More