Plato’s Theory of Communism

Background

Ancient Greek philosopher Plato was a Philosopher, writer, and mentor, born in a noble, aristocratic family. Plato’s teacher was Socrates who had not written any books, it was Plato who wrote his books, and he was a brilliant disciple of Socrates and a mentor of Aristotle. One of the Most Controversial theories of Plato was the theory of Communism, It was developed by Plato because the Greek Philosopher Plato wanted to make Athens an Ideal state. According to Plato to establish an ideal state, a just state should be established. To establish a just state, Plato developed a theory called a theory of justice, in his famous Book, The Republic. According to Plato’s theory of justice, Everyone should choose their profession according to their dominant trait. Society would be divided into Three classes- Rulers, Warriors, and Traders Classes. Plato’s most important book, The Republic was centred on Justice and the State, and this book also describes what justice is and why one should receive justice. Plato concludes that justice is valuable in itself because it leads to a just state and a just soul. An important part of Democracy describes Plato’s ideal society and how can it be achieved.

 Plato’s Theory of Communism

what is Communism ?

Communism is Rejection of Private ownership and Support for common ownership

• Communism proposed by Plato

1.Communism of Property

2.Communism of wives, family

You can also read this post- Plato’s Theory of education

1.Plato’s Communism of Property

• Plato said that there should be no private property for Guardian class. They will keep minimum goods for their day-to-day use and whatever goods they keep, would be shared by all. They will live together and eat from a common Kitchen.

2.Plato’s Communism of wives & family

Guardian class will not have any private families. This class will be isolated from ordinary population & enter into group marriage and become each other’s common husband and wives.

Their newly born children will be separated from their parents and will be placed in the custody of State for education along with other children of the community.  Parents and children wouldn’t know identity of each other to avoid Nepotism. “All men and women become parents of their common Children. This is done to avoid Corruption and Nepotism because people collect money through unfair means for their family. Once child born, after few months it would be taken in state’s custody. This tea leads to Liberation of women ( no family work so women in Can play sole affairs of state).

why this Theory of Communism is only for Guardian class?
This theory of Communism is only for Guardian class because only this class have be power, so they can go corrupt.
why not for Producer class!
This theory is neither possible, nor required for producer class.
‘neither possible:- because they are  men of appetite, so they can’t control desire.
“Nor Required :-because, they are not in power. So they would not get opportunity to be corrupt.

Aristotle Criticism of Plato’s Communism

Criticism of Communism of Property
Aristotle says that Property may led to corruption but it also has many Constructive implications :
a) Property is a source of motivation.
b) Property gives sense of achievement.
c) Those who own property are men of reason, owning property is a virtue.
d) Those having property preger stability. Poor people have nothing to loose so they do protests which causes revolution.
e) Property is a source of charity.
 Criticism of Communism of family / wives
a)As an institution, family has lots of importance in society.
b) For a person, it is a source emotional stability.
c) Aristotle criticize Plato’s suggestion, considering the “Remedies as worse than the disease.”