Judges, Bishops and Philosopher Kings: A Question of Authority
May 31, 2005
In Plato’s THE REPUBLIC, Socrates denounces Athenian democracy and its rule by the unlearned masses, arguing that only “philosopher kings” possess the wisdom and temperament to govern others.
Today, you would be hard-pressed to find a political or religious leader (in this country) who openly advocates totalitarian rule by philosopher kings. But, in my opinion, there are those in leadership, both political and religious, whose policies suggest a preference for rule by such a cadre of elites.
