The Republic is a book by Plato where Socrates tries to visualize an ideal city. Socrates states that the first city, which is referred to as the city of pigs, is essential a gathering of individuals into a society out of need. It is a city where everyone gets what he just needs and provides for the entire society according to their ability. The city is thus in need of builders, farmers, smiths, carpenters, cobblers, weavers, shepherds, traders, and craftsmen. Socrates showcases the city of pigs as a city with simplicity and Plato assumes that luxury and simplicity problems can be solved through education of the guardians.
Socrates meaning of the city of Pigs
The term “city of pigs” comes about when Socrates describes an ideal city with simplicity and moderation but Glaucon objects the idea calling it a “city of pigs.” Socrates definition of the city is an ideal city that is enriched in a simple communitarian society. The basic needs of everyone in the society are met and there are no desires for excess materials or goods. He mentions that people in the city will be able to produce corn, wine, clothes, shoes, and house themselves. They will have children that fist and drink wine which they have made and sing hymns with one other. Everyone in the city should be able to take care of themselves because they will not take anything that exceeds their means. However, Glaucon objects this stating that it is a city of pigs ("The Republic, by Plato", 2016).
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The “city of pigs” is an attempt by Socrates to explore an ideal city that advances its political justice within the city’s boundaries. Socrates thus tries to attempt to identify the initial components that will be present in the Utopia. Critical components that should be present in the city is simplicity, moderation, and production of resources. The production of resources should be done in a controlled way such that it can satisfy the basic needs of people residing in the city.
Socrates supports the idea of a society that lives with a mutual attempt to fulfilling the natural needs of one another due to the absence of self-sufficiency in an individual. The initial model of the city of pigs is one that should satisfy the basic needs of everyone according to their abilities. The city is in need of different skilled workers and a form of currency so as to trade in their goods. The use of everyone’s skills and a form of currency will enable everyone to cover their basic needs of clothing, food, and housing. Everyone was to be able to come up with a skill based on their abilities and then be occupied with striving towards excellence in a profession which suits them. Doing this will ensure the highest quality of production in the city.
The city of pigs has two main social classes. One the one hand, it consists of farmers, craftsmen, herdsmen, sailors, builders, merchants, and weavers. The other social class consists mainly of laborers. The two social classes are able to work together to produce just the right quantity and right quality of goods. Such adequate production without excessive production and wastage is the requirements of a healthy city. Additionally, Socrates pictures that the city would have citizens that drink moderately. On the flipside, Socrates pictures an unhealthy city which has grown with fat things. The city is immoderate, is filled with rich sauces and other luxuries which go beyond the image Socrates has of simplicity.
The city of pigs also raises further discussions of justice in the Republic. An ideal Republic would have a city where justice is served for all individuals. The city of pigs was thus an attempt by Socrates to create one of the first Republic nations. While this is followed by an objection from Glaucon, it provides a foundation for the discussion of justice in other parts of the book. The just society would provide a friendly environment where everyone can work and earn from their labor.
The city of pigs is thus an opposite of the luxurious city which Socrates considers that it is a city of excess. The desire for excess always leads to more and more acquisitions until they no longer have any connection with the basic needs of the body. The result is that the city is filled with war and injustice. Socrates ironically states that the city filled luxury is a city of pigs as the city is going to require farm pigs for its first time. The term “pig” can be taken to mean the consumptive nature of the city. It can be taken to indicate the nature of the people living in the city in both a figurative and literal sense. The desire to get excess is a condition which the luxurious city has and relates to pigs that are always consuming excess food (Brown, 2003).
Plato’s view regarding Socrates view of the city of pigs
The Republic was written during the transitional phase of Plato’s personal life. Having founded the Academy, he created a school where those that were interested in learning could get away from their public life and immerse themselves in studying philosophy. One of Plato’s assumption in the city of pigs is it would raise questions about education in the republic. Education will enable the guardians to gain education about running the republic. The guardians were initially constructed by Plato in the republic. The would act as a means to bridge the two extremes of the initial city of pigs and the city filled with luxury. Plato assumes that the education of the guardians would coincide with his meditations and would serve as one of the building blocks of the city.
Plato assumes that the guardians will be able to save the city from excess and its defects through their philosophical efforts. Plato thus designs education for the guardians in a way that brings about such kind of excellence in the city. Apart from physical training, Plato designs a program known as Musike which would aid in developing a moderate character among the guardians ("The Republic, by Plato", 2016). This is an example of a liberal arts education that would help individuals to avoid extreme simplicity or the tendency to go for excess.
Plato’s assumption that the city’s spending habits can be saved from excessive spending by the guardians is wrong. The society we live in is a complex system that requires more than the education of a specific group of people. Plato further assumes that there will be a general sharing of values through the connectedness of society. This may not be the case as there could be a large group that chooses to go against the education or moderation presented by the guardians. Plato’s education of the guardians may thus be ineffective in creating a balance in the city.
One of the contemporary issues that could complicate Plato’s discussion is the presence of large companies today that promote large spending and luxury among its consumers. The education of a small group like that presented by the guardians would not suffice to combat the excessive spending and luxury. The society we live in is advanced and will involve a section with people that live in luxury, another section where people live in moderation, and another one with simplicity. These factors will be determined by the availability of resources.
In conclusion, the City of Pigs is advanced by Socrates as one that advances simplicity and moderation. Plato rejects the idea and calls for a moderation between the city of pigs and the city filled with luxury through education of the guardians. The city of pigs is a city where individuals manage their resources moderately and do not spend in luxury. Everyone engages in work to ensure the advancement of society. The city of luxury is the direct opposite as it is filled with excess spending. Plato assumes that the guardians will solve the city’s spending through education. This assumption is wrong as society is large and may not solve spending problems through education of a small group.
References
Brown, E. (2003). Plato's Ethics and Politics in the Republic.
The Republic, by Plato. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1497/1497-h/1497-h.htm
