Full Idea
To confine, as Plato does in 'Republic' IV-VII, moral inquiry to a tiny elite, is to obliterate the Socratic vision which opens up the philosophic life to all.
Gist of Idea
Socrates opened philosophy to all, but Plato confined moral enquiry to a tiny elite
Source
comment on Socrates (reports of career [c.420 BCE]) by Gregory Vlastos - Socrates: Ironist and Moral Philosopher p.18
Book Reference
Vlastos,Gregory: 'Socrates: Ironist and Moral Philosopher' [CUP 1992], p.18
A Reaction
This doesn't mean that Plato is necessarily 'elitist'. It isn't elitist to point out that an activity is very difficult.