-> managed to lose my copy many years ago, and it's one I want to
-> replace. I enjoyed Soc beating up on Thrasymachus (sp?).
 HW>    If you can find _The Republic of Plato_ tr. by F. Cornford,
 HW> {Oxford} 1945, it's a good read.  He's smoothed out things
 HW> and supplied commentary.
 Good, I'll have a look for it, thanks.
 HW>    The question is harder than it might appear.
 HW> But at first crack:  The philospher/guardians, at VI, 485,
 HW> are said to know the eternal truths and have "a hatred of falsehood
 HW> that will not tolerate untruth in any form."
 HW>    It can be argued such folk are dangerous, esp given total
 HW> control of everything from marriage to education.
 I see the rationale, yes.  The validity of the guardians' position
 of course hinges on whether they do indeed possess "the...truths".
 HW> private life into conformity with his vision of the ideal, he will not
 HW> lack the skill to produce such counterparts of temperance, justice,
 HW> and all the virtures as can exist in the ordinary man. ...
 Not really different in concept, if somewhat in means, than that of
 any dictator, benevolent or otherwise.
 HW>      He will take society and human character as his canvas, and begin
 HW> by scraping it clean ....
 Ho ho.  Why does *that* sound familiar? :)
 HW>      I think you can see the danger here.  This philospher fellow, so
 HW> admired, is sculpting humanity in accord with his right vision.
 Indeed.  I plan to think about this more later, I have to take care of
 some business for the nonce.  More later.
 HW>      Anyway, check it out.  Not all scholars agree with the
 I shall.  Regards.
... Of course I support the right to arm bears.
--- PPoint 2.05
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