Characters:
- Plato, the young Aristotle, Daphne, Colin Powell and a random woman
A bustling plaza in the centre of ancient, downtown Athens, Plato and his young apprentice, Aristotle are sitting back to back on some old stone steps, watching the populace below struggling in their daily lives, working for a living.
Aristotle:
I dream of being just like you one day, Plato. My mentor, my guide, my friend [plato smiles sarcastically and batters his eyelids]. I hope you dont mind me asking sir, but, exactly how much do you love wisdom?
Plato:
[sighs pensively] Almost as much as I loved Socrates.Alas poor Socrates, I knew him well. We used to run and play in the meadows, that is when we weren't up until the early hours of the morning... [sighs again] talking. I'd call him Socks, he'd call me Plates. [it is Aristotle's turn to look questioningly and batter his eyelids. Plato jerks back into concentration].
But we digress, where was I... ah yes, so you see my dear friend Aristotle, everything and everyone on this planet is but an imperfect copy of it's perfect example, it's template, it's [makes bunny ear sign] "Form".
Aristotle:
But what about you, my most dear lover of wisdom, are you saying that you are a... [hesitates]-
Plato:
courage my fellow stargazer, just say it.
Aristotle:
[gulps] are you saying that you're not perfect?
Plato:
Ha Ha Ha. My dear padawan learner, you do come out with the most ridiculous questions sometimes.
[a pause as they both look at each other then plato continues]
Ha, of course I'm perfect.
[Aristotle breathes again, shrugging as if to say "silly me"]
There has to be one person to rule the world [he stands obviously enjoying himself as he speaks] You see Tootles, only brilliant philosophers like me, and i'm te only one I know, have access to the true world. In this world true wisdom lovers, can get a clear idea of what it is to be perfect. As philosophers have a perfect idea of what world should look like in its perfection, they should be the ones in charge. I believe there can only be one person capable of ruling at one time, otherwise its no fun for that person. Why not make it the cleverest man in the world? Me.
Random woman:
[Pops onto stage]: what about a clever woman?
Plato:
a what? no.
[random woman storms off grumpily]
Continuing our debate on animals Plato, I find it almost hilarious the way mankind sees it's specie as superior to all other living creatures but yet displays such a disorganised nature of confusion which is alien to creatures like ants that function in an orderly harmonious fashion. Don't you agree dearest Plato?
Daphne:
Plato:
Dearest Daphne man displays order of the highest degree, it is mans order that governs all and that is why I feel it is vital man is governed by the most intelligent of us why the philosophers.
Plato darling how can you say that, how can you assume it is the philosophical members of mankind that knows best for a state. The philosophers have knowledge but only that which is separate of the particular world, philosophers know nothing of the particular world, as they do not acknowledge there is any knowledge existing to know. Wasn't it not your dear friend Socrates that said that it was his advantage in knowing nothing; so how then Plato if this were true can you dare think that a philosopher should rule over something they do not believe or understand. Surely a man who believes in something knows more about something than a man who denies that something can be known.
Daphne:
Plato:
Belief Daphne can be false; independent of ones belief in it. Just because one can believe something does not mean it exists or will ever be true. It is the truth that is knowledge anything outside the truth is ignorance and falsehood. It is through the Forms that one can find the truth and like I said before it is only the philosophers that have access to the Forms. What you are suggesting Daphne are leaders who do not possess the truth.
Daphne:
I always find it odd the way you see the particular world as false, lacking knowledge. Science Plato is a practise based on the knowledge of the particular world. Science proves vital facts that one needs to know to live by to survive, for example that death can be caused by falling from great heights, it is proved by sense experience and it is proved by rational deductive reasoning. If one can agree that knowledge can be found within the particular world on how the world is, surely one cannot deny the possibility that knowledge can be found on how the particular world should function. If this knowledge can be found wouldn't it be most likely found by those most in touch with the particular world?
Plato:
[Daphne rested her head on her paws and waited for a reply, she wagged her tail slowly patiently as Plato ponder for a moment]
Daphne you misunderstand the power of philosophers. A philosopher knows only the truth and represents the truth. A philosopher is fair where others are selfish; a philosopher is brave when others fall to their knees with fear. A philosopher has a love for only that which is virtuous and true who else's hands would a state be then safest in. For Daphne me sweet you cannot believe that a man who knows only the particular world can rule a state with the same integrity as a philosopher.
Daphne:
No dearest Plato for a man of the particular world will be more in touch with the particular worlds needs, he will do what the world wants not what he sees fit but what the world reveals to him, what his people reveal to him. That is why a democracy is so important for the ruler is not alone he is constantly being reminded of his people's needs and what is important for the world.
Plato:
Daphne how can you say such absurd things, your "logic" would allow the voices of men with no capacity for logic to be heard and further more for them to rule over others.
[Daphne felt annoyed by Plato's comment and sat up straight, flopped her ears back to give her reply]
Daphne:
Plato for someone who is said to be so wise and knowledgeable you portrays such levels of ignorance. All man has the ability to reason and in my modern society all man is given the opportunity to explore that right. If all men can reason and have been educated to reason then surely they should be given the right to have a say in how their state is run?
Plato:
Daphne you are so naïve all men I agree has the ability to reason but not all men choose to use it and those who do not should not be allowed to have an influential role on how a state should be run. Those who do have an understanding of reason should be left to run the state in accordance with that reason, a ruler should not be influenced by anything but the Good; he should never have to please those who have no understanding of the Good.
[Daphne's tail had long ago stopped wagging and her dark brown eyes looked at Plato seriously and focused, she did not take kindly to Plato's patronising words]
Daphne:
Plato darling I think you have an odd view on philosophers' use of reason, that unlike the rest of mankind philosophers possess a universal knowledge that the average man cannot get to or understand through their reason.
Plato:
Why yes Daphne this is how the power of reason works.
But Plato if philosophers are in unity with one another through the power of reason why then do philosophers disagree with one another? Why do their views conflict? And if all philosophers represent different ideas how then do we decide which of them represent the unchangeable truth you speak of so frequently and which of these men should rule over the rest. For philosophers to me seem not to represent the truth but their opinion of it.
[A fly settled on Daphne's furry back, with her right foot she flicked it off and resumed her point]
And in terms of a political state if there are so many valid philosophical ways to seek the truth wouldn't it be better to have a democratic society allowing people to choose for themselves the best reasoning for their state to be ruled by?
[Daphne flicked her ears patiently waiting for a reply Plato took his time to consider his response. Plato took so long so Daphne continued herself]
It seems to me Plato that you are scared of the common mans opinion but forget all that you you're your fellow philosophers speak of is your own opinions. Look at Aristotle who came up with great theories of the cosmos that science proved to be wrong. Answer me now Plato how can men who claim they know of the truth like Aristotle when they do not, have a right to rule over a state for the reason alone of having knowledge of something that is only opinion. Plato you cannot claim only the educated have the right to have an opinion and in my state we are all educated.
Daphne:
Plato:
It is due to reason man earns his right to have a political say, reason Daphne.
Daphne:
Then Plato the state is always in the safe hands of any man for all man can reason and it through observing you philosophers I know that any mans reason is as good as another, why is that not what Hume said?
To be honest Daphne, you are only a dog and on that note this conversation is over.
Plato:
[Daphne without another word walked herself home she had enough of Plato's ignorance towards her intelligence]
So let us pretend for a minute that I am the ruler of the world…[Plato sits as if on a throne, Aristotle mimics fanning him. Suddenly a modern stranger enters.]
Plato:
stranger:
Philosophers of the ancient world, I come in peace.
The young Aristotle and his mentor; Plato remain seated on the steps enjoying the view along with the absence of Daphne.
Plato:
[They both jump back astonished]
Aristotle:
Which God was it that painted you?
stranger:
What?
Answer us this, what is your name?
stranger:
My name is Colin Powell, and I'm here from the future to tell you that this idea of yours, well I'm afraid it doesn't really work.
Plato:
Explain. [Colin sits casually; the others follow suit cautiously]
colin:
Well the thing is its been done, and I'm telling you, it all ends in tears.
How can this be? If the man who knows what is best for a people is in charge, then what could possibly go wrong?
It's a sweet theory my friend, but just not practical. I'm afraid we are but human.
Even you? [Addressing Plato]
no.
'I'm afraid so Plato, even you. The problem with this is that all humans are flawed. Unfortunately, this being the case, no man is capable of being right all the time.
Then what would you propose we do?
I've always believed that two heads are better than one, the chances are that what one man gets wrong another can get right. You see? [They both nod]
Another thing is that there is always the element of temptation that comes with absolute power. A dictator will often put his own agenda before the people.
How do we tackle this?
We have groups of people with their own set of ideas about how the state should function. These groups are elected by the people and then...
Plato:
colin:
Aristotle:
Plato:
colin:
Plato:
colin:
Plato:
colin:
The people! The people are an ignorant rabble. All they a care for is getting what they want when they want. A wild beast that knows nothing of what is good for him but simply what it wants.
This is not always the case my friend. If you give this beast a chance, instead of writing it off as stupid, then perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised. Democracy works when done properly.
Democracy! Democracy killed my beloved Socrates. It places power in the hands of a brutal mob. Do not speak to me about democracy.
There is no one political system that can be right all the time. But out of the trial and error of different nations we have come to the decision that democracy is what makes people happy, the greatest good for the greatest number.
I am beginning to understand. What you are saying is that there is no way of being a benign dictator. That there is simply no way of escaping what the people want.
Well, no Plato. People can, believe it or not, think for themselves. They come up with ideas if their own that aren't all that bad.
An example?
Women's Suffrage.
[pops in again] What's that?
When women protested about the fact that they weren't being treated equally. Now women can perform all kinds of tasks outside the kitchen. They even play a prominent role in politics.
I see, well it appears I was wrong. I thank you Colin Powell.
Don't sweat it Plates. I'm gonna get back to the White House, I'll see you around. Oh and by the way, it's probably best not to mention our encounter in any of your future books.
[Exits]
It is my greatest fear incarnate, Toottles. A world where philosophy has no major role and women do!
All is not lost, my liege. That man had travelled infinite leagues to get here. I do not think we will to live to see the world washed down the aqueduct. We will not live to see these terrible times.
[Plato alas is shaking his head in disbelief] Fetch the Hemlock.
Plato:
colin:
Plato:
colin:
Plato:
colin:
Plato:
colin:
Random woman:
colin:
Plato:
colin:
Plato:
Aristotle:
Plato:
END
Rupert Holloway + Lydia McCormack
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