"1984" and "Republic"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the significance and the role of philosophy in both Plato's version of utopia and Orwell's horrific version of the future in 1984. It suggests that both societies, rather than one being characterized as a philosophical utopia and the other a place where independent though is discouraged, both manifest a form of totalitarian philosophy. The citizens of both societies are encouraged to reject rather than accept doctrine passed down from the ruling class, and that philosophy is used as a means of control rather than of argument.

From the Paper:

"Philosophy could be defined as the highest level of true clarity and understanding human thought can aspire to. It would thus seem strange to compare the ideal philosophical kingdom of Plato's Republic with George Orwell's 1984. Plato's writings form the cornerstone of Western philosophy, while Orwell's text tells of a totalitarian society where all free thought is stifled. However, the two men's versions of government, one utopian, the other horrific, spanning centuries of time, contain certain connections that will be elucidated over the course of this paper"

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