Państwo Platona : idealna odpowiedź na nieidealne okoliczności

Abstract

The article is an attempt to present Plato’s Politeia as an answer for a crisis state during the Peloponnesian War. It means that the philosophical utopia referred to the situation in Athens. The autor finds the evidence for this view in historical events. Warfare destroyed Athenian economy and resulted in political and social depression. Finally, after the Peloponnesian War Athens was in political turmoil. Democracy was overthrown by the oligarchical party, which was in turn replaced by the bloodthirsty regime of the Five Thousand. Some times later the democratic rule was restored, but was not solid. Athens’ economy and community were confused by the defeat and needed help. Plato had a solution to the moral, social and political crisis – an ideal state. Plato’s proposal was based on the conception of justice community ruled by philosophers (reason). Human-like organized community ruled by philosophers was a a recipe for a good human life. Thus The Republic seems to be an ideal answer for the real problems of Athen’s democracy.