The Three Waves – Plato's Radical Vision

In Episode 4 of The Republic, Socrates is forced to defend three of the most radical ideas in his ideal city. The first is that women should receive the same education as men and serve as Guardians if they possess the necessary abilities. The second is the controversial proposal that the Guardian class should hold families and children in common, removing private family interests in order to create greater unity within the State. The third and greatest wave is Plato's famous argument that society will not escape its troubles until philosophers become rulers or rulers become genuine philosophers. We examine what Plato means by a philosopher, the difference between knowledge and opinion, and why he believes wisdom rather than popularity, wealth, or power should determine who governs.