Blog #3

 Hello everyone!

Question: 'It is just like the case of a man who learns by heart the angers and desires of a great, strong beast he is rearing, how it should be approached and how taken hold of, when - and as a result of what - it becomes most difficult or most gentle, and, particularly, under what conditions it is assumed to utter its several sounds, and, in turn, what sort of sounds uttered by another make it tame and angry' (The Republic p.172-3). Does this passage describe what public discourse and political debate look like in a democracy? Or is Socrates misunderstanding how a democracy works here? What are your thoughts?

Answer:

Socrates describes the public discourse and the political debate which is show as a democracy. This passage was aimed towards the teachings of the Sophist and his followers which were (demos). In that case, this article may seem to be relevant today within how great the politicians are outstanding at controlling the masses. But, Socrates understanding might also make an excellent leader/follower but also might not highly take a great morally right leader. Also, the "beast" is the Sophist, and the disagreement about the Sophist being his absence of support to what he is physically speaking on and his blind engaging followers with whatever has to say. 

My thoughts are that the Socrates has a great perspective on power and how easily it can swing the masses when bringing on fear and terror. As referring to the "beast" we have a president that can easily be replace with the actual "beast" and also this thought from the Socrates still rings true.