Plato Had a Time Machine

Eliza Colbert

    I’m convinced that Plato had a time machine and travelled to 21st century America. Seriously, his predictions of the people in a democracy fit perfectly within today’s society. Even though the United States is not a strict democracy, it’s close enough that Plato’s/Socrates’ predictions are scarily accurate. On page 253, Socrates states that the man of democracy believes that “one pleasure is as good as another and that all must be accorded equal status...So, he lives his life day by day, indulging each appetite as it makes itself felt.” He goes on to detail how this plays out, giving examples of the man’s attempt at dieting and exercise. These attempts never last and always end in the same lethargy and idleness with which they began. This sounds exactly like Americans today. There is always a new diet that is guaranteed to work (as opposed to all the others that failed miserably). Or there is a new gym with a great monthly rate (they know most people won’t go to the gym enough to get their money’s worth). People keep trying the newest health craze, but they rarely stick with it. This is exactly what Socrates/Plato says happens in a democratic society.

    While that prediction is interesting, I found this next one to be even more so. On page 254, Socrates is explaining how the rise of anarchy finds its way into the home. He says, “the father will acquire the habit of imitating his children; he will fear his sons. The sons, in turn, imitate the father, showing their parents neither deference nor fear.” This immediately made me think of the families I see where the child is clearly running things. Simply by throwing a temper tantrum, the child can get whatever she wants. The parents may threaten punishment but they never follow through because, as Socrates says, they are afraid of their children. Because of this, the children are not afraid of their parents’ empty threats and so are able to run the show.

    Socrates takes this principle from the household to society in general. He continues, “All in all, the young mimic their elders, competing with them in word and deed. The old respond by descending to the level of youth. Exuding charm and amiability, they mimic the young in turn so that they may not be looked upon as arbitrary or unpleasant” (254). The truth of this prediction is what convinces me that Socrates and Plato must have had a time machine. This type of behavior is rampant in our society. It has almost become a stereotype that kids try to grow up and adults try to be cool. This can be seen in movies as well as real life. The fact of the matter is that Socrates/Plato was right. If these predictions were correct, does that mean that America is headed toward the end result of tyranny? Are we doomed to follow the path that Plato lays out or are we far enough away from a true democracy to escape that fate?

P.S. I commented on Zane’s and Moriah’s posts.