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The causes why philosophy is in such an evil name have now been
sufficiently explained: the injustice of the charges against her has been shown
—is there anything more which you wish to say?
Nothing more on that subject, he replied; but I should like to know which
of the governments now existing is in your opinion the one adapted to her.
Not any of them, I said; and that is precisely the accusation which I bring
against them—not one of them is worthy of the philosophic nature, and hence
that nature is warped and estranged; as the exotic seed which is sown in a
foreign land becomes denaturalized, and is wont to be overpowered and to
lose itself in the new soil, even so this growth of philosophy, instead of
persisting, degenerates and receives another character. But if philosophy ever
finds in the State that perfection which she herself is, then will be seen that
she is in truth divine, and that all other things, whether natures of men or
institutions, are but human; and now, I know that you are going to ask, What
that State is:
No, he said; there you are wrong, for I was going to ask another question—
whether it is the State of which we are the founders and inventors, or some
other?
Yes, I replied, ours in most respects; but you may remember my saying
before, that some living authority would always be required in the State
having the same idea of the constitution which guided you when as legislator
you were laying down the laws.
That was said, he replied.
Yes, but not in a satisfactory manner; you frightened us by interposing
objections, which certainly showed that the discussion would be long and
difficult; and what still remains is the reverse of easy.
What is there remaining?
The question how the study of philosophy may be so ordered as not to be
the ruin of the State: All great attempts are attended with risk; “hard is the
good,” as men say.
Still, he said, let the point be cleared up, and the inquiry will then be
complete.
I shall not be hindered, I said, by any want of will, but, if at all, by a want
of power: my zeal you may see for yourselves; and please to remark in what I
am about to say how boldly and unhesitatingly I declare that States should
pursue philosophy, not as they do now, but in a different spirit.
In what manner?
1190
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book The Complete Plato"
The Complete Plato
- Title
- The Complete Plato
- Author
- Plato
- Date
- ~347 B.C.
- Language
- English
- License
- PD
- Size
- 21.0 x 29.7 cm
- Pages
- 1612
- Keywords
- Philosophy, Antique, Philosophie, Antike, Dialogues, Metaphysik, Metaphysics, Ideologie, Ideology, Englisch
- Categories
- Geisteswissenschaften
- International