ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΟΣ
Thomas Taylor (1804)
Plato · Thomas Taylor (1804)
The Statesman (Politicus) seeks to define the science of ruling, pursuing it through the method of division and a great myth of the cosmos that periodically reverses its motion. The true statesman is likened to a weaver, who binds together the diverse temperaments of citizens — the bold and the gentle — into a single well-woven civic fabric.
Plato concludes that the rule of a knowing statesman is higher than any code of law, since wisdom can adapt to particulars as rigid law cannot — though, lacking such wisdom, cities must fall back on the rule of law as a second best.
From the Plato Scroll Encyclopedia · open this entry in the reader
Socrates: I am greatly indebted to you, Theodorus, for making me acquainted with Theætetus and this guest.
Theodorus: Perhaps, Socrates, you will be indebted to me the triple of this, after these men have made you a politician and a philosopher.
Socrates: Be it so. But shall we say we have heard this of you, who are most skilful in reasoning, and in things pertaining to geometry?
Theodorus: What is that, Socrates?
Socrates: That we should consider each of these men as of equal worth, though they are more remote from each other in honour than accords with the analogy of your art.
Theodorus: By our God Ammon, Socrates, you have properly, justly, and promptly reproved me for my error in computation! But I shall speak with you about this at some other time. But do not you, O guest, in any respect be weary in gratifying us, but discuss for us, in order, either a politician first, or, if it is more agreeable to you, a philosopher.
Guest: We shall do so, Theodorus, as soon as we attempt this discussion, nor shall we desist till we arrive at the end of it. But what ought I to do respecting Theætetus here?
Theodorus: About what?
Guest: Shall we suffer him to rest, and take in his stead Socrates here, as our associate in the discussion? Or how do you advise?
Theodorus: As you say, take Socrates in his stead: for, both being young men, they will easily by resting be able to endure every kind of labour.
Socrates: And indeed, O guest, both of them appear to be allied to me in a certain respect. For you say that one of them (Theætetus) appears to resemble me in the formation of his face; and the other possesses a certain alliance, through having the same name as myself. But it is requisite that we who are allied should always readily recognize this alliance by discourse. With Theætetus, therefore, I yesterday joined in discourse, and to-day I have heard him answering this guest: but neither of them has yet discoursed with Socrates here. It is, however, proper that he should be considered. Let him then answer me some other time, but at present let him answer you.
Guest: Let it be so, Socrates. Do you hear this, Socrates junior?
Socrates: jun. I do.
Guest: Do you, therefore, assent to what he says?
Socrates: jun. Entirely so.
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The Athenian who turned Socratic conversation into a written philosophy and founded the Academy.
Plato was born around 428 BCE into a wealthy and politically prominent Athenian family; through his mother Perictione the family traced kinship to the lawgiver Solon, and his relatives Critias and Charmides were among the oligarchs of the Thirty. A late tradition says his given name was Aristocles and that 'Plato' — from the word for 'broad' — was a nickname. He grew up during the long agony of the Peloponnesian War and came of age amid the violence and disillusion that followed Athens' defeat.
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