Would Plato Allow Facebook In His Republic?

Jenni Jenkins argues, probably not.

- Jenni Jenkins

What would Plato (428-348 BCE) have made of the Internet and social media? If the Internet had been around in his day, would he accept my invitation to be his ‘friend’ on Facebook? How many friends would he have? Would he even allow Facebook and other social media into the ideal state posited in his Republic?

In the Republic (written around 380 BCE), Socrates, speaking for Plato, deliberates with friends about what is needed to achieve the most just policies for the establishment of the ideal state. They consider the nature of the soul (this is important, because the ideal state will mirror the individual); what justice is; the nature of ‘good’; and, what knowledge is and how truth can be attained. After this, they go on to discuss how the state should be run to best achieve justice and political harmony. The ideal Republic will consist of three classes of citizens: the producers; warriors to protect the citizens; and philosopher guardians (or philosopher kings), who will be the rulers.

Let us imagine it is 381 BCE, and Plato is researching for his new book about a hypothetical Republic. Our question is whether he would allow the citizens of his Republic to have access to social media; whether only the rulers would be allowed access; or would he have banned it from the Republic completely?

My first thoughts are that he would have attacked Facebook and all social media on (at least) three grounds, which I’ll illustrate using examples from the text of the Republic. These grounds are:

1.The idea, common on social media, that one opinion is as good as any other.

2. The lack of identity, ownership and accountability of its users.

3. Plato’s views on censorship in the running of the state.

Relativism