The Dilemma of the Philosopher and the City
In the third wave in Book V of the Republic, Socrates proposes his idea of the philosopher-king (473d). The philosopher, Socrates claims, is superior to anyone else in any respect, and hence he should be king. Notwithstanding his superiority, the philosopher does not want to deviate from philosophy and be the ruler. The citizens also rebel against the rule of the philosopher, because they cannot understand the virtue of philosophy. Hence philosopher cannot be the ruler in any existing city. Moreover, philosophy is more of a danger to the imperfe…
