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Absolutely happiness corrupts absolutely.../// Micah V. Powers

    I think I got that wrong...Absolute power corrupts absolutely. That phrase is a phrase seemingly instilled in every American yet Plato seems to change that phrase throughout the creation so to speak of this city of his. Humans, well more over being human automatically attaches you to this trait of Constantly seeking comfort, pleasure, desire in summary happiness. As Christians we know much of this is bound up in sin nature, but we fail to recognize so often that the reason sin nature is so prevalent is because we are inherently created to worship something. For the vast majority of non-believers and even Christ seekers that thing that we choose to worship is personal happiness. "

    "My friend, you have forgotten again that the law is concerned not with the happiness of any particular class in the city but with happiness the city as a whole" (Plato, 519e) 

This is what I believe should be the use of laws although not for the general happiness of the populous but the general safety of the populous. Plato is correct here in placing the laws in the context of the good of the whole unfortunately it fails to recognize the consistent quest for contentment. For the most part the law bearers and bringers within this "Ideal city" would seek to bring the truth from the peak into the context of the cave but instinctively the very same would end up imparting regulations intended for their own benefit.  It would be as inevitable as Thanos's snap. We see this in the context of today in the insanely outrageous salaries which our major public officials rewards themselves with, not to mention the way their power is used to collect funds from big businesses to do their bidding. Now we are back to absolute powers corrupts absolutely. Where was I going? Oh yeah, Personal pleasure is always pedestaled above popular protection. Platos point of keeping the Personal happiness out of government resonates well with me but his use of the word happiness concerns me. I don't think it is the job of any government to make its citizens happy. (Smol rant coming) I think the majority of the problem with the laws in the endless law book of the United States of America is that much of the laws seek to bring pleasure to one of the parties related to whatever the topic is. The government should not seek the happiness of the people. The government should seek to protect the dignity of all citizens. This dignity is guarded via laws that protect a citizens life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. The fundamental difference between America's ideal city and Plato's ideal city is it being the responsibility of the citizens to pursue happiness versus the right of the government to find your happiness. 


P.S. I commented on Abbie Hedden and Braylan Stringfellow's Blogs.

Comments

  1. Ian BlairOctober 6, 2020 at 9:22 AM

    Your point that the laws of a society are not for the happiness but the safety of the populace is probably the best point any legislature can make in justifying its existence. In certain systems, certain compromises must be made in order to achieve universal peace, or however close we can get to it.

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