Jonathan Visitisomboon

History 112: World Civilizations I

September 19, 2018

M & W: 1:20-2:45

Plato and Confucius

The Philosopher King idea is defined as a form of government in which

philosophers rule. It was somewhat popular during the Roman Empire and

eventually phased out, but is still seen somewhat in todays society. I personally

couldn’t find what the purpose of education is for the philosopher king in the video,

but based on what I saw, I would assume that education was important to fully

grasps the idea of such a method/theory. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that leaders

that adopt the philosopher king idea have been successful because I feel that any

leader, or really any person, puts there own twist on how they want to rule society.

In an interview that I conducted with my uncle, who is a business professor

at the University of Redlands said, “Education is a necessity for everyone. Without

it, you aren’t going anywhere. It prepares you for the real world, not only because

you’re learning, but you are also socializing with others around you.” While

interviewing my uncle, I had a sort of an epiphany because as someone who still

goes to school, I always argue that school never really prepares for the real world.

They don’t teach you how to do your taxes or how interest rates work when paying

for credit cards or when buying a car, but I realized that school gives everyone the

opportunity of education to socialize. Especially in todays time, socializing is

probably one of the most important things we need to do because a lot of things are
now base on connections. Having connections allows for a better chance at landing

a job or having a good word be put in for you. Education is important for everyone

to help with their foundation, but socializing is just important as well.

While researching for leaders that adopt the philosopher king idea, I landed

on someone named Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was known as the

philosopher president. In the artcile, he said in a quote that stood out to me, “When

power outstrips ability, we will fall on evil days.” I’m not sure if I’m interpreting it

correctly, but based on how I read it, I believe what he was trying to say was once

we get greedy with power, we will lose sight of our original vision, which will lead to

our downfall. Any nation that is trying to improve itself, usually will be very fair

and considerate, but as time goes on and things get power, there tends to be a

change in the way the leaders could think.

To some extent, I do believe the principles of the philosopher king have

assisted humans in our choices of political leaders, but like I mentioned before, I

believe that people put their own twist on how they choose to do and see things. “I

didn’t like either of the candidates in the 2016 presidential election, but I had to go

with the lesser of two of evils, and in my eyes that was Trump.” My father mentioned

that in a interview I had with him based on talking to him about democracy. “I am a

democrate, but in the situation we were in at the time, if we wanted to see change,

Trump was the best choice.” Everyone is entitled to their own political choice and

no ones choice is ever wrong. It’s just how each of us, as people see the world and

how we want it to be, of course it has to be reasonable.

 Works Cited

Character Education. “Education in Plato’s Republic.”

https://www.scu.edu/character/resources/education-in-platos-republic/.

September 18, 2018

Philosopher King. Philosophy

https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosopher-king. September 18,2018

The Philosopher President: S. Radhakrishnan.

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/the-philosopher-

president-s-radhakrishnan/article5094271.ece. June 2, 2016. September 18, 2018

Personal Interview. Kevin Rice. September 15, 2018.

Personal Interview. Chusakdi Visitisomboon. September 17, 2018