“The Guardians”

In Plato’s Republic, the guardians represent the ideal man and serve as role models to the rest of the city. They are, in short, the protectors of the city, the ones that make sure the society as a whole is both just and happy. This goal, Plato argues, is only attainable if the guardians themselves are truly just and happy. It is clear early on that Plato believes “a just person is happy”[i], and throughout the books to come, he proves that to be true in regards to the guardians. According to Plato, the guardians’ communal lifestyle makes them the epitome of justice; therefore, allowing them to achieve happiness for themselves and in turn, the city as a whole. Although in theory this seems likely and attainable, it is questionable as to whether the guardians are truly just, and consequently, whether they are able to ensure the entire city is both just and happy.

Plato argues that the guardians live a just life, and this is mostly due to their communal way of living. The guardians have no private property. They have no land of their own, no money, no houses, nor do they have their own women and children. Everything is shared communally, therefore ridding the class of the evils associated with owning private property and uniting the ruling class as one, harmonious group. These “guardians share a single conviction about what is their own…and as far as possible, feel pleasure and pain in unison”[ii]. And because of this, there are no lawsuits, no violence, and no factions among the guardians. This helps them to better rule the city and keep the citizens united, for “if there is no faction among the guardians, there is no terrible danger that the rest of the city will form factions”[iii], thus contributing to the unity and happiness of the entire city.

Plato furthers his argument by claiming that by living communally, the guardians are able to escape the evils that are associated with owning private property because it rids the class of greed and competition among members. Because the guardians have no money, private property, or children of their own, they are not faced with issues such as “flatteries of the rich by the poor, perplexities and sufferings in bringing up children,” or “the need to make money necessary to feed the household”[iv]. They are able to, therefore, focus on themselves, their happiness, and the betterment of the city. This allows the guardians to be better protectors of the city and serve as better role models to the citizens of Kallipolis. Socrates asserts that because they are able to “escape from all these things”, they “live a more blessedly happy life than the most blessedly happy one”[v]. This is a happiness all strive to achieve, but none are able to actually attain. According to Plato, the guardians are able to reach this level of happiness that material possessions cannot provide, which is the reason they are best fit to rule and are able ensure the whole city is just and happy.

Although I agree with Plato’s point that to make a city as a whole both just and happy, the rulers themselves have to posses those qualities, I argue that the guardians of Kallipolis are not entirely just and therefore not truly happy. This is due to the corruption and lies associated with the class. To guarantee the guardians are the best individuals possible, the rulers believe that “the best men should mate with the best women in as many cases as possible”[vi], and consequently, only the children from those elite pairings should remain. To ensure that this happens, the rulers must “employ a great many drugs” and a “great many lies and deceptions for the benefit of those they rule”[vii]. Any group of people brought together by lies and manipulation by higher class is clearly not a just one. Plato writes that “all of this must occur without anyone knowing except the rulers”[viii]. The guardians are not even aware that they were deliberately bred and put together to rule the city, thus showing the corruption associated with this elite group of rulers. I question how Plato believes a city can be truly just if the group in charge is filled with corruption, lies, and deceit. Although it is clear that the guardians’ communal way of living is just, the unjust aspects of the class make it impossible for them to truly exemplify justice.

I believe that for the guardians, or any rulers, to be just, they have to be elected by the people and must run the city in a democratic manner. This, however, is not the way Kallipolis and the guardians operate. The guardians are an elite group of people who are born into that class. There is no mobility among the social hierarchy and no way for someone to move up in classes. In my opinion, there is nothing just about that. To further my point, the guardians are in charge of the city, yet they were not elected. In a just society, the citizens would elect their rulers, rather than the rulers being born into their role. For it to be a truly just city, the people would have a say in who governs them. The society would be a true democracy, where the power lies entirely with the people and the rulers are there to represent the people and ensure their wellbeing.

Throughout the books, Plato presents the reader with evidence that proves the success and happiness of a city as a whole is dependent upon the rulers. Because the guardians live communally, they act as one unified and just group. There is no hatred or greed among the members, and the lack of private property allows for true happiness, as Plato argues. This in turn impacts the citizens, creating one cohesive city. Plato here is able to prove that “the city whose condition is most like that of a single person…is the best governed one”[ix], and this is due to the cohesiveness of the guardians. Although Plato provides adequate evidence in favor of the justness of the guardians, there is ample evidence that the guardians are not entirely just and therefore neither is the city. Through Plato’s arguments and the counterarguments presented, the reader is able to gain a better understanding of justice and happiness. It becomes clear that Plato is trying to convey that only a truly just person can attain a level of happiness that exceeds that which material possessions can provide. It is only when an individual gains full knowledge and a true understanding of justice that he or she reaches this deeper and philosophical level of happiness.

 

[i] Plato, Republic, Translated by C.D.C. Reeve, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 2004, 35

[ii] Plato, Republic ,155

[iii] Plato, Republic ,156

[iv] Plato, Republic ,156

[v] Plato, Republic ,157

[vi] Plato, Republic ,149

[vii] Plato, Republic ,149

[viii] Plato, Republic ,149

[ix] Plato, Republic ,153