“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”
James Madison, the Chief Architect of the Constitution, stated in 1778:Post Index
It is We, the People, who ordained and established a Republic modeled after the Roman Republic. We, the People, did not institute a democracy modeled after the Greeks. Democracy started in Greece, not in Rome. The great Greek philosopher Plato spoke against family, marriage, and private property ownership. Plato believed that in the ideal society, the people should be governed by the few who would rule according to scientific principles and make on-the-spot decisions to force them to do what is good for them.
“The best thing of all is not that the law should rule, but that a man should rule.”
Plato
Plato is one of the most famous philosophers in history, and he made significant contributions to the field of philosophy that still resonate today. Plato was born in Athens, Greece, in 427 BCE, and he lived during a time of significant political and social upheaval. He was a student of Socrates, another famous philosopher, and he became a teacher himself.
Plato is perhaps best known for his theory of Forms, which he presents in his famous work, “The Republic.” According to Plato, the material world is not the ultimate reality but a mere reflection of the world of Forms. The world of Forms is the realm of eternal, unchanging, and perfect entities, such as beauty, justice, and goodness. These Forms are the true objects of knowledge and understanding, and the material world is merely a shadow of them.
Plato also believed the human soul is immortal and exists before and after death. He believed that the ultimate goal of human life is to achieve a state of enlightenment, in which the soul is freed from the constraints of the material world and able to contemplate the Forms.
In addition to his philosophical ideas, Plato also founded the Academy in Athens, which was the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. The Academy was where students could study various subjects, including philosophy, mathematics, science, and politics. It was also a place where Plato could continue his own philosophical investigations and teach his ideas to others.
Plato’s philosophical ideas have had a significant impact on Western thought and culture, and they continue to be studied and debated today. His concept of the Forms has influenced many other philosophers and thinkers, including Aristotle, who was one of his students at the Academy. His ideas about the immortality of the soul have also had a profound influence on Western religion and spirituality.
One of the most interesting aspects of Plato’s philosophy is how he uses dialogue to present his ideas. In many of his works, including “The Republic” and “The Symposium,” Plato presents his ideas through the voices of various characters who engage in dialogue with one another. These dialogues are not merely intellectual exercises but rather are meant to be a reflection of how philosophical inquiry should take place.
For Plato, the best way to understand the truth is through conversation and debate. By engaging in a dialogue with others, we can test our ideas, challenge our assumptions, and arrive at a deeper understanding of the world. In this way, philosophy is not simply a solitary activity but rather a communal one.
Plato’s dialogues are also notable for their literary quality. They are not dry, abstract treatises but rather are written in a style that is engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking. This literary quality has helped to make Plato’s works accessible to a broader audience and has contributed to their enduring popularity.
In conclusion, Plato is a philosopher whose ideas have had a profound impact on Western thought and culture. His concept of the Forms, his belief in the immortality of the soul, and his use of dialogue to present his ideas are just a few of the aspects of his philosophy that continue to be studied and debated today. Whether you are a student of philosophy or simply someone interested in the history of ideas, Plato is a thinker who is well worth exploring.
The Greek Aristotle, who studied Plato, said Plato was wrong.
“Even the best of men in authority are liable to be corrupted by passion. We may conclude then that the law is reason without passion, and it is, therefore, preferable to any individual.”
Aristotle
If our college professors were properly trained in American civics, the study of natural law, they would voice the words of the great Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero, not Plato.
Because of the lie of democracy, most Americans have never even heard of Cicero. Cicero cut sharply through the political errors of Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. Cicero was a man of the people and did his best to save the Roman Republic from Rulers Law under the dictatorship of the Caesars. In 44 B.C., Cicero was murdered by the henchmen of Marcus Antony. Our Founders were well-read in the writings of Cicero and believed in his teachings on natural law.
“All ages of the world have not produced a greater statesman and philosopher combined.” Cicero stated: “Natural Law is True Law.” Then he said: “True Law is right reason in agreement with nature; it is of universal application, unchanging and everlasting; it summons to duty by its commands, and averts from wrongdoing by its prohibitions.”
It is a sin to try to alter this law, nor is it allowable to repeal it entirely. We cannot be freed from its obligations by the senate or people, and we need not look outside ourselves for an expounder or interpreter. And there will not be different laws at Rome and Athens, or laws now and in the future, but one eternal and unchangeable law will be valid for all nations and all times; that is natural law.” Anyone with too much to drink knows you can not fool Mother Nature. In the United States, natural law became Common Law. The first written common law is the Ten Commandments.
“The fundamental basis of this nation’s laws were given to Moses on the Mountain.”
President Harry S. Truman
“The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul. I don’t think we emphasize that enough these days. If we don’t have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the state.”
President Harry S. Truman
If we, the people, refuse to be governed by Constitutional Law, we will become slaves to men’s passions.
“The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you’re finished.”
Benjamin Franklin
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