The Good Life According to Plato

Paper Summary:

This paper explains what the common American defines as 'the good life'. It shows that this is a subjective judgment defined by an individual, but most people consider this to be based on material objects. This paper compares these attitudes to Plato's philosophies. It shows that this worship of power and luxury is in direct opposition to Plato's theories concerning the development of a just society. Plato believed that a society should be broken into three specific castes, the citizens, the rulers, and the military.

From the Paper:

"The citizens, at the very bottom of Plato's society, would have the most luxury. Citizens simply do not have the responsibilities of the rulers or of the military. They are not required to keep order and they are not required to rule.

The military would be provided with some limited luxuries. Military personnel are charged with the duty to keep order. Luxury often breeds temptation, and the military should not be in a position to be tempted.
The highest class, that of the rulers, would be provided with no luxuries. Their duty is to the people and the people alone. They must be selfless and willing to give up anything for their duty. Indeed, the ruling class must be willing to give up their own children in order to remain among this caste."

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• Persuasive Essay # 119141 : "Happiness as it Relates to Morality"

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