Rockridge High School
Taylor Ridge, Illinois
Teacher: Mrs. Downey
Ideal Society
By Christopher Bestian
12th Grade
“Only the dead have been the end of war.” It is obvious that Plato did not like diversity because it resulted in the bloodshed of others. The differences between the citizens of the world are what causes hatred and discontent. Most people are dissatisfied with the beliefs and opinions of strangers. Is war the answer, or is it just some obstacle that needs to be overcome? To some people this seems logical, but in reality almost nothing can be solved by death. It takes everybody to be united; not one person or organization alone can complete the ideal society.
Can people find common ground with religion? Maybe. Many religions believe in God but have different paths to Him. This conflict can bring about peace and it can also bring about destruction. Peter Gabel believes in the ideal society only if there is a unification of church and state, although he does not go into detail about it. Plato and Scruton would disagree. The lower class (“Producers” as Plato calls them) would not be subject to the outside world, therefore taking away their freedom, especially of religion.
In contrast to Peter Gabel, I believe that there needs to be a common belief in a Higher Power. Hopefully, this would bring about a unification of church and state. As a believer in God, I feel that everyone needs to follow a credo in Him. It would not be dictated; everyone would be led by their hearts, not by laws and rules. If everyone has feelings for one another, true justice can be served. In my ideal society, everyone would be dependent on each other, while not solely looking for his/her friend’s help. Not one person would be left out. Plato had a vision of a separated society; I look for a complete relationship within the community.
Then the question arises: is surviving by yourself sufficient to provide an individual ideal society? Ayn Rand thinks so. In her book, Atlas Shrugged, a person lives by what he/she can obtain on his/her own, independent of a society. These people are just working for themselves and not giving any help to those who need it. To me, this is a form of social Darwinism where “only the strong survive”, whether in the natural world or the political/business world. Rand is seeing a perfect life from a capitalistic point-of-view. She seems to be persuaded by this thought: if it has worked for the United States for so long, why can it not work for the world as a whole? Competition makes one strive to survive. Plato’s theory differs from that of Rand. He believed foremost that if one possessed a gift (e.g., brilliance or education), then that person should help out society for the better. Everyone would be in a communal compliance with one another: between the Guardians and the Auxiliaries and between the Auxiliaries and the Producers. In a sense, the producers would stay “dumb” in order to keep them from revolting or trying to undermine authority (Auxiliaries).
While this seems extreme, it is clear: if the Producers never had the idea or even the slightest thought of a rebellion or revolution, then there would never be any insurrections. I feel that this can be applied, but it does bring the thought of a communist/socialist style of government. How is this bad? Many of the people who are opposed to socialism would really be against the idea of Plato’s ideal society. Plato liked this idea because then he would be the head of the people. He believed that philosophers would rule: “There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or until those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands.” In my ideal society, there would be not one ruler; in fact, there would almost be no ruler at all. In the Old Testament times from the Holy Bible, Israel was content and strong without a king. The only human rulers that they had were the prophets or the priests. They could help each other out because they knew that the Lord would provide. In this case, the government (God) would be the commander of the people.
Neither Plato nor Gabel want a laissez faire style of government, such as Ayn Rand desires. Roger Scruton, though, wants secularism. I do not quite agree with all of Mr. Scruton’s ideas, but I believe that with one religion prevailing, then there would be no cause for wars or hatred caused by religious beliefs. By taking care of this one field we can eliminate many other “hot-spots” which can cause a split in the state. A unity based solely on religion and social-well being is what makes up most of my thoughts of an ideal society.
If the whole of the community works together under one religiously unified law, my idea of an ideal society could be obtained. Everyone has individual opinions of what an ideal state is. From religious and social fragmentation, to social Darwinism, different views will be the only opposition that humans face when trying to achieve the ideal society.
1.Question: Number the fault lines mentioned in paragraph one #1 to #7 according to your personal priorities.
Answer:
In order- abortion, welfare reform, health care, environmentalism, taxes, role of government, gun control
2.Question: In paragraph three, what is meant by “defeat of community”?
Answer:
Frustration of intrinsic human need for meaningful social connection is the defeat of the community. It relates to a self-indulgence, defeat of relationships between people, and a downfall of society- the sociality is destroyed. Mental incapacitation, minorities, disabilities, and people who “shun” other people and do not get to know them or ignore them are examples of the defeat of the community.
3.Question: Do you sense the “pain of isolation” in the adults in your community? Explain
Answer:
Yes I do, but not on a large-scale basis. I have seen it among several people within my neighborhood because they hardly go out and socialize amidst the members of the community. They keep to themselves and really don’t care much about the society around them.
4.Question: Discuss your feelings about the SAT in light of paragraph six.
Answer:
Gabel and I agree on this subject. He goes into detail with the reasons why it should be eliminated throughout schools. An alternative is to have colleges look to the tests only in tough decisions and not rely on test scores to decide the majority among their selections of future students.
5.Question: In considering a future career, what are your “prime motivations”?
Answer:
My main prime motivations in life are of course, college and religion. When looking at a career, however, it is key to look at college obligations. My prime motivation is to make sure that I obtain a great paying job. Then I intend to marry my sweetheart. The rest of my life will pertain to my career, so I will need to choose well. I have been considering a job in the field of nuclear engineering, or something that relates to this job. \
6.Question: What do you think about a less “objectified” legal system?
Answer:
I really have no opinion in this field. The legal system is not my forte. If I had to make a conclusion, I would once again agree. It seems to me that the insanity plea is being used all too often. A better, tighter strategy of dealing with the supplication would be in order. Another example is a bad family line. A solution to this is lawyers working for the better of the community instead of themselves.
7.Question: Would you describe yourself as an idealist? Why or why not?
Answer:
I am not an idealist as philosophy goes. However, I would consider myself an idealist when it comes to physical nature. I try to be the quiet man with most of my opinions because I know that someone will try to persuade me to their side. Whatever they say usually outdoes my support. In other words, I almost never win an argument.
8.Question: Share an anecdote about a local idealist over age 40.
Answer:
Marcia and Bob Winter have shown their idealism by adopting a 12-year-old Romanian boy named Daniel. Daniel soon took hold of the American way of life and is really enjoying his new life in the United States. Bob and Marcia believe that he will be a productive, respectful American citizen, and they are teaching him their fundamental values and building his character.
9.Question: How does Roger Scruton describe the differences in political culture of Islam and the west?
Answer:
First off, he describes it as a battlefield. He argues that the basis for the rule of law in Western civilization is the social contract- a pact that binds all citizens within a certain territorial jurisdiction.
10.Question: What does Scruton suggest are the prerequisites in the Western societies for citizenship?
Answer:
A sense of patriotic public spirit, and a commitment to the preservation of the social contract are the prerequisites for Western societies’ citizenship.
11.Question: What is the danger to the Western social contract that Scruton identifies in the last paragraph? Do you think the Western social contract involves “patriotic self-sacrifice”? Should it do so, in your opinion? Why or why not?
Answer:
The division of a unified state is the danger to the Western social contract. He says that if a group of people within a nation lose their grip on the social well-being, the entire nation is at risk and the objective is reflected back to the individual(s). Yes, I believe that one person can influence several thousand. This in turn will apply the “glue” needed to hold the society together. This would spark the patriotism needed in the people of the nation.
12.Question: Comment on the quote taken from Ayn Rand’s book, Atlas Shrugged. Do you agree with it? Why or why not? Have you read Atlas Shrugged?
Answer (response):
It seems that the speaker is basing his life on the sheer existence of survival. Not to be excessive, and striving to have the essentials is how this person’s philosophy of life is based. I really do not agree with the context, because I plan to exceed in life. I will strive to become better, not remain the same throughout my life at what just gets me by. No I have not read Atlas Shrugged. She also really wanted human kind to exceed and do what they want.