Plato's Republic

¶ … Utopia as outlined and defined in Plato's Republic. The writer examines the Republic's description of a perfect state and then applies its elements to the trial and execution of Socrates. The question becomes "Would Socrates have been tried and executed if Plato's perfect utopia state had been in place at the time?" This paper explains why Socrates would have been spared and respected had that been the case. There was one source used to complete this paper.

Before one can answer the question, "If the utopia outlined in Plato's The Republic had been in place in 399 B.C., would Socrates have been tried and executed?" one must have a clear understanding of the perfect state as described in Plato's books.

Plato's Republic works to provide society with a blueprint for a perfect and successful society. While many of its elements seem to be inconsistent with reality and daily life the outline as a whole can be presented as possible in modern societal circles.

When addressing the question of Socrates and utopia there are two ways that the Republic's version of Utopia would have spared his life. The first is because in a perfect utopia as presented by Plato in the Republic there are no differences. It almost works to fight against individualism, which would mean everybody would be accepting of everything. In that case, it stands to reason that Socrates and his philosophies would have been accepted and not cause for execution.

The second way that the Utopia as presented by Plato in the Republic would have spared Socrates is more complicated and multi-dimensional as it addresses many life aspects that in tandem would have spared Socrate's trial and life.

Plato's version of Utopia is founded in the modeling of one's soul, or inner human self. Socrates was famous for his development of human condition. Therefore it follows had the Republic's version of Utopia been active at the time then his trial would have turned out entirely different because he would have gained the respect of those who were to judge him. In fact there should not be any judging in the perfect Utopia and Socrates would have been accepted for who he was and what he believed.

Socrates was an excellent philosopher. Plato's Republic believes that each person would be assigned a life work that they would excel in [St. 421b]. Because of Socrates ability to understand the human soul and condition he would have been assigned to do exactly what he did that caused him to be placed on trial in the first place.

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.

If Plato's Utopia existed Socrates would not have had to outline the flaws in society that were preventing members from having open minds.