Philosophy 2080 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Secret Police, Tyrant
Document Summary
Book 9: plato and socrates want to discuss the tyrant and democracy. The rule of wealth, but the wealthy are indiscriminate: the wealthy become vulnerable to democrats. Have you been defending democratic institutions: it"s not you, but others can take advantage. The tyrant has to persuade the person: he flatters people. And then the turn comes: you"ve been taken in and weakened and the tyrant takes control. How does he do it: he does it by using the secret police , the army. Is the tyrant himself trapped: think of yourself as being in charge of the whole classroom and you have 5 people you trust. Do you really trust them or do the 5 people have the power to over throw you and take your place: your power is inslave by those who serve you. One"s power, which looks so upfront, is actually not there: it"s a power susceptible to being usurped by other people.