POLC70H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Oligarchy, Timocracy, Tyrant
Document Summary
Hint: linguistic connection in greek between the best" (aristoi) and virtue" (arete). The best must be distinguished by possession of virtue". We also know that justice" must be part of what it means to be virtuous. The best ruler therefore will probably be one who beings justice to the city. Plato"s answer: the best ruler is the philosopher. The bets ruler is what plato called a philo king. Philo is what makes one best suited to rule. The problem of false philosopher: there are some who seem to be like philo but are not true philo. They are not lovers of wisdom (remember that gr. philosophia is literally, the love of wisdom) instead are (v. 475d-476d) lovers of sights and sounds. Those who love only the sights and sounds of things. Those who love the nature of the thing itself permanent and unchanging. Example of beauty itself and examples of beautiful things:
