Description
i just uploaded everything so basically it's 6 pages paper, you need to choose only one topic for the
attachment so everything is in the attachment if you don't understand anything just let me know
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Purchase answer to see full attachment
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: PLATO’S METAPHOR OF THE “SHIP”
Plato’s Metaphor of the “Ship”
Name
Institution
1
PLATO’S METAPHOR OF THE “SHIP”
2
Plato’s Metaphor of the “Ship”
The “Ship of State” is one of the numerous metaphors employed by Plato in his book
“The Republic.” To offer support to the various explosive claims and statements he makes in
his book, Plato endeavors to use allegories, which enable him to compare two or more things,
hence attaining enlighten. In response to Socrates’ question about the philosopher’s ability to
rule, Plato feels the need to use the images of a ship and its crewmembers to elaborate his
stance on the matter. Using the ship metaphor, Plato argues that civilians as well as
democratically elected leaders are unfit to rule and that philosophers, who are often
admonished and ridiculed, are the most deserving and skilled leaders.
One of the most important revelations of the ship metaphor is civilians are illequipped to rule. Before telling the story of the ship, Plato concludes that a majority of people
in the society lacks any real knowledge of what it considered just and true. However,
philosophers demonstrated a higher level of understanding. This is because they strive to seek
the truth and uphold it above everything else. In fact, Plato argues that philosophers are more
likely to become effective rulers because they hate falsehood, are unafraid of death, have
great minds and choose to live in harmony with other members of the society. The larger
public lacks these qualities, making them incapable of leading (Plato, 2002; Bramann, 2009).
To further support his stance, Plato goes on to employ the metaphor of the “ship” to
assert his position on the matter. To begin with, he admonishes democracy, the type of
government based on the rule of the majority. While Athens at the time was a democracy,
Plato was largely opposed to this kind of rule. He uses the ship to illustrate his displeasure.
The captain of the ship is a man who appears to possess all the preferred qualities of a leader.
According to the metaphor, he is a man that is both taller and stronger than all the other
members of the crew. However, he has problems with his sight and listening abilities. In fact,
he is found to possess little navigation skills (Plato, 2002).
PLATO’S METAPHOR OF THE “SHIP”
3
At the same time, Plato also offers important insigh...