Karl Popper’s Critique of Plato’s Philosophy

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“The utopian attempt to realise an ideal state, using a blueprint of society as a whole, is one which demands a strong centralised rule of a few, and which is therefore likely to lead to a dictatorship.” Karl Popper.

In his classic work, “The Open Society and Its Enemies,” Karl Popper treats Plato as an enemy of open society. According to him, Plato is anti-individualist, anti-democratic, and has the aim of stopping all social change.

PLATO AS AN ANTI-INDIVIDUALIST

According to Popper, Plato never considered the rights of individuals, but only their duties towards the State.

Plato advocated a model of government considered as absolutist and totalitarian. Thus, he is sometimes called the father of modern authoritarianism and totalitarianism.

In Plato’s ideal state, Popper argues, individuals cannot have an interest against the State. Whatever the State does is considered to be for the good of the community. Individuals must obey the State.

Plato’s scheme of education was completely state-controlled and state-regulated.

Plato denied owning property and having family by the guardian class. His denial of family and children are against the interest of individuals.

In Plato’s ideal state, individuals are instruments of the State. The State is creating ‘suitable’ citizens. Individuals do not have their liberties, voice, aspiration, or dream. There is nothing they can call their own. Everything goes on as per the wishes of the State.

PLATO WAS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC

Plato was an aristocrat by birth and conviction. He always wanted to preserve aristocratic values and lifestyle.

According to Popper, Plato never trusted common man. He was against popular participation by the average person because, according to him, they are not aware of the absolute truth.

In this context, Popper questions whether the claims of absolute truth are falsified. Even the so-called absolute truths may not remain true according to particular time and space.

Plato believed that democracy led to moral corruption and degradation. For him, democracy bred factionalism, extreme violence, and cannot tolerate highly-gifted individuals. Plato was never in favour of democracy. He attributed the defeat of Athens to Sparta to Athenian democracy.

Plato was against both popular participation and opposition- two important ingredients of democracy. Thus, his philosophy was anti-democratic.

PLATO WAS ANTI TO SOCIAL CHANGE

Plato’s scheme of education, communism of family and property, and advocacy of eugenics all aimed at keeping the State as it is. His ideal state, social order, and organisation were to remain permanent and eternal.