Plato Coursework (Coursework Sample)

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In this passage, Plato says that there are three distinct groups of citizens in a state whose classification is based on their abilities: the rulers, auxiliaries and craftsmen. This paper will demonstrate the uniqueness of each class and how the status quo is maintained.
In an “ideal state”, the rulers preside over other citizens in the other classes who consequently submit themselves to their leaders. Courage, high intellect, experience, honesty and “incorruptibleness” guide them in their leadership. Plato argues that with love of the state guiding them in their operations, rulers forego the supposed selfish interest for the sake of the government. The high intellect enables them to preside over matters that citizens of the lower classes cannot handle. Their “incorruptibleness” earns them integrity over other citizens who will be compelled to submit unto them as expected. The character of honesty earns them acceptance in the government for lies hold no place in a perfect state. The prevent corruption, the rulers own no property. In addition, they earn no salary for the services they deliver. However, the state assures them satisfaction through the provision of basic needs they deserve. This, according to Plato, ensures that rulers remain corrupt-free at all times. The philosopher is guided by utilitarian values where he argues that the state endeavors to generate happiness to the whole republic rather than an individual. Salaries and property ownership might compel the leader to compromise good leadership over the quest for wealth. Furthermore, the state denies freedom of privacy to rulers, because they belong to the republic. Transparency ensures that the integrity of the leaders remains constant. It must be noted that despite the restrictions imposed upon this class, rulers exceptionally enjoy power over other classes. They make decisions on the operations conducted within the republic, while other citizens merely agree and abide by them.
“The auxiliaries serve as warriors” protecting the state against external aggression. Because of the conquests from other states for control, this class defends fiercely the rest of the citizens. Therefore, the state demands courage and sacrifice from them. The state trains them to perfect warriors whose knowledge of their expectations compels them into action when required. Plato warns that moderate training equips warriors with required expertise while its excess reduces them to savages. The state rejects the latter result, but demands quality servicemen. Warriors “police” the state and remain loyal to the government and ready to execute duties assigned to them by the leaders. Their response to duty demands that they do not question why the state acts in a manner that it does. In addition, warriors must also guard the secrets of the republic from extending beyond the borders by keeping quite over what goes on. Through this silence, enemies will not access information on how to topple the government. State ideologies makes them believe that they are in a better class than the rest of the citizens because they closer to the rulers. Through this ideology, warriors diligently conduct their duties with confidence.
Craftsmen come last in the classification as ordinary citizens serving the republic. Farmers, blacksmiths and other workers fall into this class. The state demands that they serve the interests of those above them at all times. Farmers ensure plenty of food is availed to the warriors and leaders. The state denies them the right to challenge other classes and recommends them otherwise. It instills a belief to this class that they are noble in their own way since they serve the rest of the classes who work as per the expectations. The state makes these craftsmen feel privileged to serve the rest of the classes....