Why Plato Hated Democracy | the Republic
Aristocracy vs. Democracy
Plato’s Republic is the foundational text of the west. And yet, it is hostile to almost everything the modern west stands for: equality, liberty, freedom of speech, tolerance, all of these are explicitly named by Plato as things which produce bad lives and even worse societies.
My guest today is the leading Plato scholar Giovanni Ferrari who will help us understand why Plato despised democracy and what are the better ways to organize society and our lives.
Topics We Cover:
02:07 Plato's Critique of Democracy
04:29 Equality is Anarchy
06:35 The Hidden Dangers of Tolerance and Freedom
10:19 Plato's Theory of the Soul
11:38 Why Democracy Is Prone to Tyranny
18:59 Why Philosophers Make the Best Rulers
28:58 Why A Strong Spirit Is Essential for Ruling
34:49 The Philosopher-King’s Duty to Serve the City
41:50 Should the Philosopher Engage with a Corrupt Society?
46:52 Why Even the Best Regimes Degenerate
48:05 The Reason Why War-Like Societies Don't Endure
58:45 How Oligarchy Breeds Revolution
1:02:13 Plato vs. Modern Utilitarianism
1:07:54 Plato vs. Stoics on Desire
1:12:49 The Surprising Role of Reincarnation in Plato's Republic
My friend Michael Tapp made this whimsical short clip that shows Immanuel Kant's incredibly precise daily routine—so predictable that locals used his walks to set their watches!
Instead of ad reads, these episodes are directly funded by people passionate about the Great Books like yourself. If you want to pass the torch along and make it possible for others to discover the same wonder, please consider becoming a paid subscriber:
You will also get priority access to lectures and events I host in the future.