Guarding The State

Guarding the State
Plato, one of the most respected philosophers in the world whose writings have been able to surpass centuries of time, discussed his very idealistic views on how to keep the State in its best form.   His conversation with his student philosophers like Adeimantus, Glaucon and Thrasymachus have been handed down through generations from around 360 B.C. because of his very interesting but quite unrealistic suggestions regarding women, children and family. This writing is believed to be the first historical document that tackles the issue of a utopian or perfect society.   Even if it sometimes touches on issues that may indicate Plato’s regard for individuality, careful analysis would show that the direction of his discussion was to secure the state.
To understand Plato’s suggestions, one needs to know that his society has three kinds of people, the guardians, auxiliaries and commoners.   The guardians are the rulers of the state while the auxiliaries are the warriors who defend the state’s rights.   The commoners include all the working individuals that do not belong to the two previously mentioned strata.   The guardians and auxiliaries were highly esteemed people.   In Plato’s discussion with his students, however, his main concern was the development of a perfect breed of guardians.   Although he mentions auxiliaries too, his primary focus was on the rulers of society whom he believed had to be reproduced to secure the state.
Plato believed that women should have equal rights on certain important issues with men even if they are the inferior gender. He explained that women and men have many similarities especially in capabilities although women may be physically weaker compared to men. He therefore believes that women should have the same access to education and societal roles.   He views women as having a weaker nature but not so inferior that they could not perform political functions and war duties.   He thinks that women should be given...