- Introduction
- The Philosopher-King and the Ideal State
- War as Necessary Evil
- Striving for Peace
- The Guardians as Defenders of the State
- Governance in Times of War
- Fostering Social Harmony and Virtue
- Conclusion
- References
The Hundred Years’ War, a prolonged and devastating conflict between England and France (1337-1453), was a historical event unknown to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Nonetheless, by examining his philosophical ideas, primarily in “The Republic” and “Laws,” we may speculate on his potential views regarding such a conflict.
The Philosopher-King and the Ideal State In his magnum opus, “The Republic,” Plato presents the concept of a philosopher-king, an individual embodying wisdom and justice, who governs the ideal state (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 473c-d, Book V)1. This enlightened ruler, possessing both knowledge and moral integrity, would guide society toward harmony and justice.
In the “Laws,” Plato acknowledges that war might be a necessary recourse, particularly when defending the state against injustice (Plato, Laws, Stephanus 625c, Book I)2. However, he also emphasizes the importance of striving for peace and pursuing diplomacy whenever possible.
Plato contends that an ideal state should always seek to cultivate peace with other nations, fostering a spirit of friendship and cooperation (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 470a-b, Book V)3. This suggests that, had he been aware of the Hundred Years’ War, Plato would likely have advocated for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
The Guardians: Defenders of the State In “The Republic,” Plato introduces the guardians, a class of citizens specifically trained to defend the state and uphold its values (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 414a-b, Book III)4. These individuals, educated in both martial and intellectual pursuits, would protect the state from external threats, such as those posed during the Hundred Years’ War.
Though Plato acknowledges the potential necessity of war, he cautions against allowing it to dominate the state’s agenda (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 468a-b, Book V)5. Instead, he argues that governance should remain focused on promoting the well-being of citizens and maintaining social harmony.
Plato maintains that an ideal state should strive to cultivate virtue among its citizens, promoting wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 427e-428a, Book IV)6. In this context, the prolonged conflict of the Hundred Years’ War might be seen as a distraction from the state’s primary goal of fostering a harmonious and virtuous society.
Though Plato lived centuries before the Hundred Years’ War, his philosophical ideas can provide valuable insights into how he might have viewed such a conflict. By examining his writings, particularly “The Republic” and “Laws,” we can speculate that Plato would have recognized the potential necessity of war in certain circumstances but would have strongly advocated for peace, diplomacy, and the pursuit of justice and virtue in governance.
| Title | Author | Date Written | Chicago citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Republic | Plato | 380 BCE | Plato. The Republic. Translated by G.M.A. Grube. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1992. |
| Laws | Plato | 348 BCE | Plato. Laws. Translated by A.E. Taylor. London: Dent, 1934. |
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Plato, Republic, 473c-d. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy ↩︎
Plato, Laws, - 628a-630d. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy ↩︎
Plato, Republic, 470a-471c. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy ↩︎
Plato, Republic, 433b-c. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy ↩︎
Plato, Republic, 414b-415d. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy ↩︎
Plato, Laws, -348, 663a-b. Link1 | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy ↩︎