Plato's Simile Of The Ship

Imagine a displace owned by person who is blind who knows little about seafaring. Also on the delight with him argon a group of sailors who be constantly quarrelling with separately other about who would be most suited to headmaster the ship. There is also a navigator who has fellowship of the stars and is to a greater extent than capable of guiding the ship to its destination safely, this is the philosopher. The sailors are attempt to persuade the owner of the ship to allow them to take control, these are the sophists. They know not of seafaring, and do not have the aptitude that the navigator possesses, and are equipped only with the art of persuasion. The navigator who has the faculties necessary to guide the ship is useless because he is not put to use on the ship, not because his knowledge is useless. The silk hat philosophers are useless to the state not because their knowledge is useless, precisely because the state does not make use of them.
A ship, to action a safe and successful journey, needs an expert navigator at the head and a captain who knows the capacities of the boat and has knowledge of seafaring. An untrained or ignorant person at the helm of a ship would result in danger to the ship and everyone and everything inside it.



Similarly, the city state needs expert governors at the helm, governors who are well informed about things such as sociology, law and other relevant subjects. Ignorant and incompetent governors behind be and have been disasters for citizens and states, as they know not what the city needs and are largely motivated by ego interest.
The smile of the ship illustrates Platos view of democracy. Instead of valuing knowledge, participatory governments value persuasion and the ability to communicate elected or determine policies passed by persuading the majority. There are distinct differences between persuading people and actually knowing what is best.



References:-
An entryway to Platos Republic by Julia Annas
Plato and the Republic by Nickolas PappasIf you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



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