Rep. V.473c11-d6) I. INTRODUCTION

rule of philosophers is in their own interest (Rep. VI.499d-501e). Neither of these claims is unproblematic, but I shall turn to Plato's best known justification for the rule of philosophers, and this is epistemic.2 Philosophers alone have knowledge (epistêmê) of what really is, e.g., just, good, and fine and this makes them better at ruling. ................
................