Plato's Philosophic Dog - McMaster University

PLATO'S PHILOSOPHIC DOG

PLATO'S PHILOSOPHIC DOG by

BENJAMIN WONG, B.A.

A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements

for the Degree Master of Arts McMaster University

May 1987

MASTER OF ARTS (1987) (Political Science)

MCMASTER UNIVERSITY Hamilton, Ontario

TITLE: Plato's Philosophic Dog AUTHOR: Benjamin Wong, B.A. (McMaster University) SUPERVISOR: Dr. Thomas J. Lewis

NUMBER OF PAGES: 187 + vi

ABSTRACT

The image of the philosophic dog plays a major role ~n the Republic. The analogy ~s used to illuminate the phenomenon of viciousness, a mode of behaviour that is ultimately selfdestructive. Viciousness, as such, is intimately connected to the problem of the self. The analogy, therefore, functions as a guide into those very problems which affect the conception of the self.

When the image of the dog is invoked, the analogy alerts us to difficulties in the arguments of the dialogue. The analogy does not resolve these difficulties, since it only functions to give expression to them, but in so doing it plays a central role in providing a consistent thread which binds together the diverse 1S8ues that are brought up In the Republic.

Initially, the image is used to elucidate characteristics of the auxiliaries, but the image is subsequently implicated ~n the description of the just man and the philosopher, as well as their respective antitheses. The image illuminates the nature (and problem) of the philosophical relationship between the just man and the philosopher, as well as the nature of the political relationship between these two and their opposites. The thesis, therefore, uses the image as a vehicle to address the broader concern of the relationship between philosophy and politics.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It took a while to concelve the project for this thesis. I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Thomas Lewis, for restraining me from a hasty confrontation with Plato, and gently guiding me towards a more sustained and fruitful encounter with the philosophic dog. To Professor Marshall Goldstein, I am indebted for the great many opportunities to express and explore ideas and concerns ln open conversation. I would also like to express my thanks to Dr. John Seaman for his generous gift of time and effort in appraising the thesis during his sabbatical.

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