Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Pittacus, Plato and Aristippus the elder

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4 ideas

24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State
As with other things, a good state is organised and orderly [Plato]
     Full Idea: As in every case (an artefact, a body, a mind, a creature), a good state is an organised and orderly state.
     From: Plato (Gorgias [c.387 BCE], 506e)
All exchanges in a community are for mutual benefit [Plato]
     Full Idea: In the community all mutual exchanges are made on the assumption that the parties to them stand to gain.
     From: Plato (The Republic [c.374 BCE], 369c)
     A reaction: The sole purpose of his society appears to be trading, either of goods or of services. The assumption is that if each individual were self-sufficient there would be no society, which strikes me as unlikely. Aristotle offers a better picture.
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract
After a taste of mutual harm, men make a legal contract to avoid it [Plato]
     Full Idea: Once people experience committing wrong and suffering it, they see the disadvantages are unavoidable and the benefits unobtainable, ...so they enter into a contract, guaranteeing no permitting or receiving wrong, ...and they then make laws and decrees.
     From: Plato (The Republic [c.374 BCE], 359a)
     A reaction: This seems to be the earliest statement of the social contract idea. Here it both sets up the state and creates morality. This is Glaucon speaking, and is NOT endorsed by Socrates.
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship
People doing their jobs properly is the fourth cardinal virtue for a city [Plato]
     Full Idea: The power that consists in everyone's doing his own work rivals wisdom, moderation, and courage in its contribution to the virtue of the city.
     From: Plato (The Republic [c.374 BCE], 433d)
     A reaction: Making conscientious the fourth cardinal virtue. Well said! My maxim for the modern world is that nearly all human misery consists of either bad health or other people not doing their jobs properly. You know I'm right.