The Best of Plato
Socrates: Wouldn’t you say that the soul is immortal and never dies? Glaucon: Indeed, I would not. \V HAT kind of a man is best qualified to govern society,- and what is a just society? What would be the position of women in the ideal State? How should people be educated for living im a just society? What kind of men make the best lawyers and doctors? What is the nature of justice? And, finally, is it true that the soul or spirit of man is immortal? These were some of the questions discussed by Plato in his book The Republic, written more than 2000 years ago. As an act of homage to his old teacher Socrates, Plato put his reflections into the mouth of Socrates, who is represented as expounding his ideas in imaginary discussions with a number of friends and acquaintances. A series of six Platonic Dialogues selected from The Republic will be broadcast from 2YC, starting at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5. The selections have been made by H. Hudson, -Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Victoria University College, who contributes an introductory talk. Plato expresses amazement, Mr. Hudson says, that men who have had no special training should be considered fit to govern in the interests of the State. He believes in what is called "aristocracy." which in his sense of the word means "rule by the best." He analyses the various kinds of government such as democracy, communism, and dictatorship. Nothing imperfect or defective will be tolerated in his ideal society, and those who are a liability to the State should be eliminated. Stability is to be ensured by a rigorous censorship of art and literature, Though there is much of value in Plato, many of the things he said could, Mr. Hudson believes, "be placed in a museum for strange and exploded ideas." The best things of Plato are presented in this series of dialogues. The first is called "Is Injustice Profitable?" and takes place between Socrates and Thrasvmachus, a rival teacher.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19540430.2.28
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 771, 30 April 1954, Page 14
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342The Best of Plato New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 771, 30 April 1954, Page 14
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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