tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609753361734121782.post4690414581515295865..comments2023-10-29T03:46:56.183-07:00Comments on Doug Plumb: Speaking Of DemocracyDoug Plumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13398407489022244485noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609753361734121782.post-61769192345260167662010-03-19T22:59:45.379-07:002010-03-19T22:59:45.379-07:00Sorry Doug - misread your comment about Plato and ...Sorry Doug - misread your comment about Plato and democracy.<br /><br />From what I remember, no king, but a ruler class developed from a grassroots level of cultivating sharp young minds and bodies - the real intellectuals would also be physically superior as well. Then, they would spend all their time training and studying, and be fit to rule us plebes only good enough for heavy labour or whatnot. The ruling group had strict term lengths, and later became like a judge or something . . .oh, and the cultivation of these perfect philosopher kings (superhumans, really) was also helped by infanticide.<br /><br />It is interesting stuff though, highly recommended as a good read now that I remember it.slozonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609753361734121782.post-6822861151271526912010-03-14T09:50:28.473-07:002010-03-14T09:50:28.473-07:00You are right about the rulers and Platos Republic...You are right about the rulers and Platos Republic, he did say there would be a ruler class. I'm not sure if this would have a king or not. The term "philosopher king" gets used a lot in reference to this book.<br /><br />The idea is the same whether rule is by one king or by a class - the end goal is justice, rather than efficiency as in our existing system.Doug Plumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13398407489022244485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609753361734121782.post-24685647015688805402010-03-14T09:46:51.043-07:002010-03-14T09:46:51.043-07:00I didn't say that the US is an example of Plat...I didn't say that the US is an example of Plato's philosopher king, I said that Plato's explanation of democracy describes the USA.Doug Plumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13398407489022244485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609753361734121782.post-56217625392212761312010-03-14T08:56:19.265-07:002010-03-14T08:56:19.265-07:00The US is definitely not a version of Plato's ...The US is definitely not a version of Plato's Republic, sorry - I have actually read that book.<br /><br />There are no 'philosopher kings' class, and you'd really have to stretch it / read between the lines quite a bit to transfer that group into the corpocracy power structure. And most importantly, if I remember correctly, Plato's Republic (or should I say, some guys who say this is what Plato taught us is his ideal republic) had the rulers as a group of people only bred to rule, and ruling as a group.<br /><br />I see where you make the analogy and connections, but the corporate angle, the money angle, and a few other things really don't fit.<br /><br />Obviously I agree with you on the USA not being a democracy in any sense of the word though.slozonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609753361734121782.post-3054949712114932082010-03-13T04:45:53.794-08:002010-03-13T04:45:53.794-08:00the multiple meanings of democracy are not a mista...the multiple meanings of democracy are not a mistake.<br />I think it is intentional.<br />Really, how hard is it to define a word?<br /><br />Democracy to my mind is <br /><br />Rule by and at the behest of a well informed citizenry.<br /><br /><br />Well informed is crucial, because, well informed, thoughtful people will not stomp on the rights of minorities.Pennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16834513101685995010noreply@blogger.com