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Kallipolis

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Kallipolis (Greek: Καλλίπολις Latin: Calipolis) was a fictional utopian city-state described in Books II to VI of Plato's Socratic Dialogue, the Republic. The term Kallipolis does not appear in most English translations of Plato's Republic as it is translated and often separated to city, just-city, or ideal city.

Structure[edit]

Leadership[edit]

In the Republic, Plato wanted Kallipolis to be ruled by a philosopher-king. As Plato believed "philosopher-kings are the only people who can grasp the Forms, and thus the only people who can claim actual knowledge. Since the philosopher-king yearns after truth above all else, he is also the most just man."[1] Plato's ideal form of government was an aristocracy, and Kallipolis was a brief modification of the aforementioned.

Classes[edit]

In Kallipolis, Plato regarded three classes to compose the city. Based upon the tripartite soul, the λογιστικόν (logistykon, logical), the θυμοειδές (thymoeides, spirited) and the ἐπιθυμητικόν (epithymetikon, appetitive). These three parts of the ψυχή (psyche) also correspond to the three classes of the society.[2] The first class and the highest in terms of importance in the city was the guardian class. The second class, although the first class described by Socrates, was the auxiliary class. The third class was the producer class.[3]

Guardian Class[edit]

The guardian class, otherwise addressed as the philosopher or intellectual class in Kallipolis was the class politically and legally in charge of the city. This class was the most respected by Plato because they were not supposed to carry out their duties for any reason besides the logical part of their psyche, meaning their thirst for knowledge.[4][5]

Auxiliary Class[edit]

The auxiliary class or the warrior class was the first class to have been described chronologically in the Republic, and was expected to be in charge of the protection of the city from outside threats, as well as fight on behalf of the city in times of war. The auxiliary class was supposed to only perform their duties on behalf of their spirited part of their psyche (their love and pride for the city).[6][7]

Producer Class[edit]

The producer class or working class was the largest class, and was seen by Plato as being the least significant, as well as possessing the lowest psyche. The producer class worked as a class for all those who did not possess the intellect needed to be in the guardian class and the athleticism needed to be in the auxiliary class. The producer class was expected to provide for the city, as well as fulfill many jobs that are crucial to having a functioning city. What made the working class the least respected by Plato and his character Socrates in addition to being unsuitable for the more respected classes was that they would only serve their duties to fulfill their appetitive qualities.[8][9]

Privileges[edit]

Plato prioritized that three necessities in Kallipolis would be provided by the working class for each citizen. The first nourishment, the second a dwelling, and the third clothing and the like.[10]

Role of Women[edit]

Plato states that women are allowed to take the roles of Guardians and Auxiliaries in Book V of the Republic. This position is very unconventional, as women were seen as "weaker in all things" than men at the time, and were not known to have militarily served in any Greek city, although the warrior Goddess Athena serves as a rare example of a female in a position of strength.[11][12]

Etymology[edit]

Kallipolis is Greek for "Beautiful city" from κάλλος kallos (beauty) and πόλις polis (city).[13]

Further Depictions of Kallipolis[edit]

Although not specifically acknowledged by the author as serving as an inspiration, similarities can be drawn between Kallipolis and the dystopian community seen in Lois Lowry's 1993 novel The Giver.[14]

References[edit]

  1. "SparkNotes: The Republic: Important Terms". www.sparknotes.com. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  2. Brown, Eric (April 1, 2003). "Plato's Ethics and Politics in The Republic". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
  3. "The Internet Classics Archive | The Republic by Plato". classics.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  4. "The Internet Classics Archive | The Republic by Plato". classics.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  5. "The Internet Classics Archive | The Republic by Plato". classics.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  6. "Plato: The Republic | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy". www.iep.utm.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  7. "The Internet Classics Archive | The Republic by Plato". classics.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  8. Boone, Mark J. (2011). "The Unity of the Virtues and the Degeneration of Kallipolis". Apeiron. 44 (2). doi:10.1515/apeiron.2011.010. ISSN 2156-7093.
  9. "The Internet Classics Archive | The Republic by Plato". classics.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  10. [classics.mit.edu "The Republic Book II"] Check |archive-url= value (help). The Internet Classics Archive. Archived from the original on |archive-url= requires |archive-date= (help). Retrieved November 5, 2017. |Authors list= missing |1= (help)
  11. CATHERINE, MCKEEN,. "WHY WOMEN MUST GUARD AND RULE IN PLATO'S KALLIPOLIS". Pacific Philosophical Quarterly. 87 (4). ISSN 0279-0750.
  12. "The Internet Classics Archive | The Republic by Plato". classics.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  13. http://faculty.winthrop.edu/oakesm/PHIL301/Plato_II.pdf
  14. "Kallipolis: Is Plato for Real? | Jason Lieblang Arts One". blogs.ubc.ca. Retrieved 2018-01-11.


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