VisionIAS - Video Classroom Lecture

PSIR Optional Class 01

RECAP (5:18 PM)

Influences of thinkers on Plato.
Plato's Theory of Knowledge.

THEORY OF JUSTICE (5:21 PM)

This theory is conceived in his book Republic, the subtitle of this book itself says "Concerning Justice".
As against the conventional theory of justice (which considers justice from a legal perspective), Plato gave an unconventional theory of justice by considering it a universal ideal.

What is Justice according to Plato? (5:30 PM)

Justice is one of the virtues of society (John Rawls however, says justice is the first virtue of society).
Justice is a virtue necessary for a good life and harmonious existence.
Justice is universal in nature.
His concept of justice is based on duties.
His concept of justice goes against individualism and materialism.

Question: "State is individual writ large" Plato.

Fundamental idea linked with the statement: Idea of Justice.
Through this statement, Plato wants to draw a parallel between the state and the individual.
Through this statement, he also argues that the nature and character of the state are dependent upon the nature and character of an individual (The state does not come out of Oak or rock but they are inherent in the human mind).
In other words, for Plato state is a magnified form of the individual.
For Plato, it would be easier to first look at justice at the level of the state and then at justice at the individual.
It is always easier to look first at the larger picture and then apply what we have learned to the smaller picture.
At the level of the state, there are three classes that perform their functions depending upon the dominance of virtue within themselves and this constitutes a just state.
Characteristics of a Just State:
i. Justice will prevail.
ii. Ruled by a Philosopher King.
iii. Where there would be a division of labour --> division of virtue --> function specialisation.
Now Plato draws a parallel between a just state and a just soul.
Just State --> Justiceness --> Ultimate idea --> idea of God --> Individual soul is a part of God.
A just state and a just soul will create the conditions for justice necessary for an ideal state.
Thus, Plato proved that a just soul will create a just state.
This statement not only reflects Plato's concept of justice but also develops an idea of the intersection of politics and ethics through Plato's work.
For Plato, if a just political organisation of the state can act as a model of just individuals in society then conversely the ethical principles at the individual level must also be applied at the level of political organisation.
This intersection of politics and ethics bears similarity with Gandhi's concept of the Spiritualisation of Politics.
However, this statement falls in contrast with the Machiavellian idea of a separation between conventional morality and state morality (states have different sets of morality from an individual).

Plato's Theory of Human Soul: (6:01 PM)

According to him, humans are of three types:
i. Person of Gold.
ii. Person of Silver.
iii. Person of Copper.
Together this idea is called Myth of Metals.
For Plato, justice is applied at two levels:
i. Individual level.
ii. Societal level.
i. At Individual level:
He says every individual has three qualities and there is a corresponding virtue.

Quality	Virtue	Quality (At the state level)	Specialisation (At the state/societal level)	Myth of Metal
Reason	Wisdom	Reason is dominant + Courage + temperance	Philosopher King/Queen (Upper level of guardian)	Gold
Spirit	Courage	Courage is dominant + temperance is also present	Warrior class/Auxiliary class (Security) (Lower level guardians)	Silver
Appetite	Temperance	Only temperance is dominant	Production class --> traders/artisans (Economy)	Copper

Every individual has a dominant quality and virtue.
At an individual level, a just man is a man where reason dominates the other two qualities.
Temperance means the quality of self-restraint.
A just individual is a person in whom reason dominates and a just state is a state where the Philosopher King who has wisdom as a dominant virtue will rule.
Hence, the state is an individual writ large.
ii. At State/Soceital level:
Functional specialization.
Thus, Plato's concept of justice is based upon twin principles:
i. Functional specialization (yet interdependence) which creates cohesiveness in society.
This means one class --> one duty --> one work.
This aspect appears more importantly injustice at the societal/social level wherein it means the individual will do work in the station of life allotted to him.
The virtue of temperance which means the virtue of self-restraint is based on the division of labour or functional specialization.
ii. Non-interference:
Ernest Barker says "Justice means the will to concentrate on one's own sphere of duty and not to meddle with the sphere of others."

Critical Appraisal: (6:47 PM)

Limited scope for individual freedom in his theory of Justice (such freedoms are exercised right now by citizens in a welfare state).
It created a graded hierarchical society something which is not acceptable in the present age.
The justice system of Plato allowed partial and dysfunctional development of one's personality i.e. through its education system it was allowing individuals to develop one-third of their faculty.
Thus, the modern idea of the multi-dimensional development of an individual runs contrary to Plato's theory of justice and education.
(The same critics will be written for the Theory of Education)
Plato's concept of justice does not rest upon the modern idea of egalitarianism.
Professor Sabine in this regard criticizes Plato's theory as being static, subjective, demoralizing, and unrealistic.
Thinkers like Karl Popper have termed Plato as the enemy of democracy because of the non-inclusive nature of political order.
For him, this theory involves total subjection of the individual to the state where the individual is sacrificed at the altar of the state.
His disciple Aristotle himself criticized his theory arguing that it leads to excessive unification and does not allow an individual to develop all aspects of his personality.
The theory also appears to be undemocratic since it deprives some sections of people from gaining political power.

Contemporary Relevance: (6:58 PM)

To this extent, Plato's concept of justice implies the idea of "right conduct".
There could be an analogy with the concept of dharma in Indian tradition.
Plato's emphasis on the duty aspect of the individual holds relevance in the modern-day concept of fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution.
Scholars like John Rawls have also borrowed ideas like justice as the first virtue of society.
The functional specialisation aspect of his theory is still considered today to be an important part of the societal function.
This functional specialisation aspect also draws a parallel with the ancient varna system.
The very fact that Plato gave importance to knowledge as a criterion of political power holds immense relevance especially when there could be a connection between knowledge and just and good governance.
Question: Plato's theory of justice is different from the modern concept of justice. Analyse.

Theory of Education: (7:28 PM)

This is the most important idea of Plato in maintaining the rule of the Philosopher King.
Thus, it is an important positive tool for establishing an ideal state.
What is the purpose of this theory?
i. Through education, Plato believes that the future ruler will come to recognise that the desire for power and pleasure is not the basis of political fulfilment and individual happiness.
ii. Education from him, therefore, was an instrument for moral reform that would mould the human soul.
iii. Method to arrive at his theory of education.
On the basis of Socrates' idea of dialectics.
During that time., two education systems existed one in Sparta and the other in Athens.

Athens	Sparta
There was a private education. It was provided by the Sophists. It was more gender biased (only important to male education). More creative education, arts, philosophy, etc. were provided. Not that strict.	It was state-controlled. It was gender inclusive. Military training was given more priority. Strict discipline.

He took forward the best aspects of both schools of thought and created his own unique synthesis of his education model.

Features of Theory of Education: (7:45 PM)

It was a life-long process.
State-controlled education system (inspired by Sparta).
More gender neutral.
He combined theoretical (philosophical) and practical (physical education like military training) aspects of education.
Censorship of literature and music --> for both the upper (Philosopher King) and lower (Warrior) guardian classes.
The primary focus was on the education of the guardian class, especially the Philosopher King.
Education model:
i. Primary Education:
a. From 0-6 years:
Music (light instruments), gymnastics, and moral stories will be provided.
b. 6-18 years:
General education.
ii. Secondary Education:
18-20 years: Only military education will be provided.
Now there would be a test conducted at the age of 20 years.
Failures would be considered fit only for the production class.
iii. Higher Education:
a. 20-30 years:
Maths, geometry, and logic would be taught.
A test would be conducted at the age of 30 years.
Failures would be considered fit only for the military class.
b. 30-35 years:
Philosophy and dialectics are being taught.
c. 35-50 years:
Practical knowledge was being provided.
Those who complete all the levels will be qualified and considered to be fit as the Philosopher King.

Critique of the Theory of Education: (8:00 PM)

His education system is graded in nature.
It is exclusionary for the producer class.
The state-controlled nature of this education model made liberal thinkers like Karl Popper argue that such an education model creates a closed or regimented society.
The entire education process is too long.
Music and other art forms are not taught which are today considered essential for an individual's holistic development.
The vocational aspect is missing which is considered important in the curriculum of the modern-day state.
For example, the NEP of India has given importance to vocational education.

Linkages:

We can create a connection with Plato's Allegory of Cave in a way that the whole aim of Plato's education theory is to drag the young generation out of a cave of darkness into the real world through his education model.
His education model is the basis of Plato's concept of functional specialization.
It could be considered the most important tool for the establishment of the ideal state.
For scholars like Rousseau, Republic is the best treatise on education so far.

Contemporary Relevance: (8:11 PM)

The importance of early education wherein, priority was given to music, physical education, and moral education holds relevance in the present education model aspect.
Functional specialisation is also of great relevance today.
The idea that education should be an essential criterion for the political class is nowadays a major matter of discourse within political and electoral reforms.
Plato tried to showcase that the interdependence of nature and nurture in shaping human character holds importance in modern times where both talent (nature) and training (nurture) are considered essential for individual growth.

NEXT CLASS: The topic of Plato (Ideal State) will be concluded and Aristotle will be taken up for discussion.