Distance still lends enchantment

Abstract

In a recent article discussing the nature of the Platonic dialogue, there occurs the phrase: And just as it is characteristic of the Socratic conversation to conclude with an admission of ignorance, so it is characteristic of Plato's dialogues to fall short of expressing the final truth: instead, it is brought into view as from a distance.'l kind of view do we of today's world have of Plato's ideal state as we observe it from the distance of centuries? Does the bold and vigorous architecture which embodies his ideal Republic still stand in clear relief? We note one thing immediately. The republic that Plato places before our imagination is a republic of the living, not a homeland of structure and society first, the individual second. The real question for this society, as pointed out by Francis Cornford, is What is the right way to live?2 Given both the individual and society, what desires should be cultivated? impulses should be satisfied to achieve a perfect society? How can one satisfy desires and still be a good person? Plato does not ignore duty; but, he is much more concerned with happinesspersonal happiness. He accepts two kinds of analysis: that of the ideal state