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Is a philosopher king/benevolent dictator preferable?

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
Should I always use gender neutral/inclusive language? I did not think of saying “Philosopher King/Queen” as that is not the term. Sure, maybe Plato could have never considered a woman in the role of ruler, but I never explicitly stated in the OP that the ruler would have to be male. Though I understand that the word “king” is male. So that’s why I am asking if I need to make sure to always use gender inclusive language even when it isn’t traditionally used in a specific context. Because i present the idea absent of thinking about the gender of the ruler, and you then say that i made the assumption that the person is male and turn the conversation a different way than i intend it to go.
It depends on what speakers wish to communicate; clarity in communication is important. If someone uses exclusive (or inclusive) terms in the course of a discussion, it's not unreasonable to assume they are talking about something to exclusion (or inclusion) because that is what was said. Assuming others mean what they say is something of a default in human interactions since it's more or less necessary for successful communication. Easier said than done, since what a term means is a fluid cultural construct and moving target. It is enough to clarify what we intended as speakers when others misread what we meant. A simple "oh, I don't intend to limit the consideration to any particular type of person" suffices to clarify.

Regardless, I think intended point is being missed here - and that's how a single ruler cannot be inclusive. A single human cannot adequately represent or make decisions for all humans, inherently. Again, that this is rarely questioned signals some of the major problems with the idea especially when coupled with the common cultural assumption that only one type of human can be the ruler. That one type of human cannot represent all humans because there are oceanically vast amounts of experiences they will not and cannot ever have. Anyone actually wise enough to be worthy of being a dictatorial philosopher would know this and immediately abdicate the position.
 

Heyo

Veteran Member
Is a “philosopher king” or “benevolent dictator” an ideal political system?

I am restarting Plato’s The Republic. I’ve read through it partly before, but that was too long ago so i restart now. But I do know his conclusion is that philosophers should be in charge. This is similar to the idea of a “benevolent dictator”, no? The nice smart guy with no ill will has supreme control and everything will be alright is the idea.

What do you guys think of the concepts of “benevolent dictator” and “philosopher king”? I wasn’t sure if this should go in philosophy or political debates, but ultimately I think the debate is about political systems so I put it here.

As a supporter of anarchist thought, I like the idea of a benevolent dictator. I’d support that over democracy, that’s for sure. One of my reasons is that I might be able to be convinced to be Supreme Dictator of the World, and I think the world would be better for it if I was.
The main question isn't if a benevolent dictator would be better, the question is how he would get to power.

"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." - Douglas Adams

I.e. to get a philosopher king, you'd need a philosopher's society, who made him. And that are just the people least in need of a king.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Here for the ride
Premium Member
Is a “philosopher king” or “benevolent dictator” an ideal political system?

I am restarting Plato’s The Republic. I’ve read through it partly before, but that was too long ago so i restart now. But I do know his conclusion is that philosophers should be in charge. This is similar to the idea of a “benevolent dictator”, no? The nice smart guy with no ill will has supreme control and everything will be alright is the idea.

What do you guys think of the concepts of “benevolent dictator” and “philosopher king”? I wasn’t sure if this should go in philosophy or political debates, but ultimately I think the debate is about political systems so I put it here.

As a supporter of anarchist thought, I like the idea of a benevolent dictator. I’d support that over democracy, that’s for sure. One of my reasons is that I might be able to be convinced to be Supreme Dictator of the World, and I think the world would be better for it if I was.
Yes, I would love that, actually. But I'm rather authoritarian, anyway. I loved the sort of society they had in Starship Troopers, or at least a fair bit of the ideas.
 

RestlessSoul

Well-Known Member
Hypothetically, if we could be assured of one’s philosopherness and benevolence, then what say you?

Wouldn’t it be the role of a dictator, benevolent or otherwise, to tell the population what to do and how to behave? This being so, tension and conflict will have to be resolved. And this will inevitably lead to resentment, subversion, more tension, more conflict; a vicious circle, in other words.

The best way to get people to conform to ethical standards, is through consent. Democracy seems the least bad way of trying to achieve this at the level of a nation state
 

an anarchist

Your local loco.
The main question isn't if a benevolent dictator would be better, the question is how he would get to power.
Through force no doubt. Unless it is a scenario like you say -
I.e. to get a philosopher king, you'd need a philosopher's society, who made him. And that are just the people least in need of a king.
“Does the ends justify the means?” is the next question I think if we conclude that “force” is how the philosopher king would get power.
 

Heyo

Veteran Member
Through force no doubt. Unless it is a scenario like you say -

“Does the ends justify the means?” is the next question I think if we conclude that “force” is how the philosopher king would get power.
I wouldn't consider a dictator who came to power through force (or election manipulation) a beneficial dictator.
 

LuisDantas

Aura of atheification
Premium Member
I don't think that it is at all possible to have much of a functional government system if it relies on the presumed wisdom and authority of any single person.

Definitely not at the current population levels.

Instead, we need general awareness of the duties that come with the social contracts that make functional communities possible. That has been lost instead of achieved in the last few decades, but the need remains.
 
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