“What makes Kallipolis, with its philosopher-king, a utopian society?”

With the power of knowledge that the philosopher kings possess, Kallipolis is able to function as a utopian society. The philosopher kings are the reason that the society works and these “cities will have no rest from evils”[i] without them. Because these rulers are knowledgeable, they are able to properly run the city by knowing what is best for its citizens. One of the aspects that the philosopher kings provide for the community is happiness. A utopian society is not about pleasing one faction, but rather it is about “making the city as a whole happy”[ii], and this is what the rulers try to accomplish. Happiness is such a key quality in a true utopian society because it keeps the city working and living in peace and harmony.

Another defining characteristic of Kallipolis that makes it a utopian society is its equality. Poverty is often a huge problem in most societies, but this is not an issue in Kallipolis. Kallipolis has no poverty because it has no money. Plato believes that “poverty and wealth make the products and the practitioners of the craft worse”[iii]. Poverty makes it impossible for anyone to be good at their craft, because they lack the necessary tools and skills needed. Wealth, on the other hand, makes people greedy and lazy and not want to work at their craft. Therefore, in order to make Kallipolis as just and egalitarian as possible, Plato rids the society of money and all the issues associated with it, thus pushing Kallipolis further towards a utopia.

The other opportunity of equality present in Kallipolis is education and equality between genders. Equal education opportunity is a key part of a utopian society because every child, no matter what gender, race, or ethnicity, deserves an education. Education is clearly stressed in Kallipolis, as it is believed that “good education and upbringing, if they are kept up, produce good natures” and those “who receive such an education, grow up even better than their predecessors in ever respect”[iv]. Education provides people with skills and morals needed to succeed in life and contribute to a just society. And what makes Kallipolis even more of a utopian community is the fact that men and women are thought of more as equals. Plato emphasizes that both men and women should be educated the same, and should do the jobs best suited for them based on talent rather than gender. Socrates says, “there is no pursuit relevant to the management of the city that belongs to a woman because she is a women, or to a man because he is a man”[v]. Equality among genders is one of the biggest points that makes Kallipolis a utopian society.

Because of the philosopher kings, Kallipolis enables happiness for its citizens, it has no poverty or greed, and it provides equal opportunities for all, which is what makes Kallipolis a utopian society.

[i] Plato, Republic, Translated by C.D.C. Reeve, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 2004, 166

[ii] Plato, Republic, 103

[iii] Plato, Republic, 105

[iv] Plato, Republic, 108

[v] Plato, Republic, 144