The Noble Lie

The Noble Lie

In Bloom's second edition of "The Republic of Plato," there are many troubling issues. The one that strikes me the most, however, is the idea of the "noble lie." I find this completely disturbing for a number of reasons. It is immoral and wrong to deliberately deceive someone. This idea also completely contradicts Socrates' argument that it is beneficial to be just.

In the discussion between Socrates and Glaucon that involved how to create an ideal city, they divided the people into three classes: rulers, auxiliaries, and craftsmen. In this city each class has a certain role. The rulers are the highest of rank in the city. They are older, wise men who govern the state and make decisions in the best interest of the city. The auxiliaries are to assist the rulers in executing and enforcing their laws and decisions. The final class, the craftsmen, are needed to carry on all necessary lines of work. They take no part in governing or protecting the city. The craftsmen are the doctors, farmers, blacksmiths, bricklayers, etc. To keep the three classes from fighting and meddling in each other's business and destroying the harmony and unity of the state, Socrates came up with the idea of the noble lie.

Socrates suggests that the noble lie be spread slowly, first to the rulers, then to the auxiliaries, and then to the rest of the public. The noble lie is comprised of two parts. The first part of the message is that everyone's youth, education, and training was just a dream. In reality, they were created in the Earth itself; the Earth is their mother. When they were complete, the Earth sent them up to the surface. Socrates believes this idea will give a reason to say that the land they defend is in fact, their ...

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...m generation to generation. Most of what I know concerning life, I learned from my parents. So, if people were taught from generation to generation that loyalty is the key to upholding a city, and that there was a strict penalty or punishment for not being loyal, lies would not have to be told to every human being in your city about where they originated from and how they are supposed to live their lives.

In conclusion, the idea that this myth can be considered "noble" and a moral foundation of a city is far from "ethical." I had a certain respect for Socrates and his thoughts previous to Book III, but now I can't understand why we look to him for the answers to what is ethically and morally correct. In my analysis of his conversations, I believe that he is willing to manipulate, play mind games, and go to any necessary extremes to achieve and prove his ideas.