Plato's Utopia

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the "Republic's" description of a perfect state and then applies its elements to the trial and execution of Socrates. It attempts to answer the question of whether Socrates would have been tried and executed if Plato's perfect utopia state had been in place at the time.

From the Paper:

"According to Plato's theory Socrates, because of his wisdom would have been accepted as a wise and powerful leader. His leadership would have been accepted as long as he obeyed the laws of the land [St 590d]. In Plato's Utopia the soul is immortal. This means that the study under Socrates of the human condition and the inner workings of the soul would have had vital importance to the truth and well being of society. This would have eliminated the fear and resentment of Socrates and his work which in turn would have eliminated the need to try or execute him."

More papers on Plato's Utopia:

• Comparison Essay # 3262 : "Plato's "Republic" and More's "Utopia"
• Analytical Essay # 5817 : "An Analysis of Plato's Republic"
• Comparison Essay # 149064 : "Classical Athens: Pericles and Plato"

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