BF190 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Apology (Plato), Dialectic
Document Summary
Not only a contestable concept, but also a critical" concept that is a norm or ideal by which reality is tested and found wanting. There will always be some further extension or growth of democracy to be undertaken. That is not to sat that a perfect democracy is in the end attainable, any more than is perfect freedom to perfect justice. It is rather that the idea and ideal is always likely to function as a corrective to complacency rather than a prop to it. (arblaster 1987: 6) A select few, after having themselves thrown off the yoke of immaturity, will spread the spirit of rationality. Thus a public can only attain enlightenment slowly. A revolution will only lead to new prejudices. As a what we are sheepish as a who we walk alone! Plato wanted to be part of the crowds. Sting and wake up society and the system.
