Platos Royal Lies and Manuscript Illustration in Islamic Art - Assignment Example

PLATO PLATO’S “ROYAL LIES” Introduction: Plato, the famous Greek philosopher was born in Athens c.427 BC in a wealthy family. He served in the last years of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. After democracy was restored in Athens in 403 BC, he hoped to enter politics. However, the realities of political life as well as the execution of his mentor Socrates in 399 BC drove him to abandon his goal. After travelling, meeting Pythagoras, and serving again in the military, he returned to Athens in 387 BC. He founded his Academy, which he presided over until his death in 347 BC, and which survived for nearly a thousand years after. His works include discussions of mathematics, ethics, science and philosophy, usually in the form of dialogues. Some of the most famous are the Republic, Phaedo, and Symposium1. According to the Constitutional Rights Foundation, in “The Republic”, Plato attempted to design an ideal society and government that were free from injustice and conflict. Plato wrote his work as a dialogue among characters. The main character was Socrates who voiced Plato’s ideas. The real Socrates had never written down his ideas. Through the dialogue, Plato tried to duplicate the way Socrates taught Philosophy: by engaging his students on a significant question. In the Introduction page of the Plato’s Republic (Complete) by Plato, Karl Popper in the 20th century is quoted as saying that : he considered the Republic to be “probably the most elaborate monogaph on justice ever written”. But he interpreted it as a form of totalitarian justice. Dianne N. Irving says that Plato orchestrates the use of “Royal Lies” to lay down philosophical foundations for state authorized eugenics, communism, utilitarianism, euthanasia: physician-assisted suicide, the Mother Earth myth, day-care nurseries, women in the military, and population control. These criteria for creating a strong and Ideal State are discussed by Socrates, Adeimantus, Glaucon, Polemarchus, and Thrasymachus, in Plato’s Republic. Utilitarianism: [Book III, Socrates and Adeimantus, p.651]: Socrates explained his belief that truth should be highly valued. A lie was useful only as a “medicine” to men. Then the use of such medicines should be restricted only to physicians. Private individuals should not be allowed to lie. Only the rulers of the State should have the privilege of lying for the public good: whether in their dealings with enemies or with their own citizens. If an ordinary man were to lie to them in return, it would be considered as a heinous fault, and he would be punished for a practice that would be destructive for the State. Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide: [Book III, Socrates and Glaucon, p.670]: Socrates was of the opinion that in all well-ordered states, every individual had an occupation to which he must attend, and had therefore no leisure to spend in being continually ill. If a physician were to prescribe to him a course of medicines, diet and rest, to the neglect of his customary employment, then the patient must say goodbye to such a physician. He should resume his ordinary life, and either get well and live and continue his normal occupation, or if his constitution fails, he should be prepared to die and be free from his troubles. Glaucon agreed that regulating the diet to recover from an illness would amount to excessive care of the body, which would be inimical to the practise of virtue. A law should be sanctioned in the state that physicians should attend only to the ones with better health, and those who are diseased in their bodies should be left to die. Myth of Mother Earth: [Book III, Socrates and Glaucon, p.679]. The “guardians” were those members of the higher class who maintained peace among citizens at home, and defended the state against foreign enemies. These young men should more properly be designated as auxiliaries and supporters of the rulers. Then Socrates tried to devise one royal lie to deceive not only the city, but the rulers as well. Socrates proposed to tell the rulers, the soldiers, and lastly the people that their youth was a dream, the education and training that they received from the state was for appearances only. In reality, during all that time, they were being formed and fed in the womb of the earth, where they themselves and their arms and appurtenances were being manufactured. When they were completed, the earth, their mother sent them up. So their country being their mother and also their nurse, the were bound to work for her best interests, and to defend her against attacks. Her citizens they were to regard as children of the earth and their own brothers. The Myth of the Metals: Socrates told Glaucon that the citizens were to be told that though they were brothers, yet God had framed them differently. In those who had the power of command, he had mingled gold, by which they also had the greatest honor. Others he had made of silver, to be auxiliaries; others again, who were to be artisans and craftsmen: he had composed of brass and iron. God proclaimed to the rulers that they were to guard the purity of the race. The citizens were to be convinced that if a man of brass or iron guarded the State, it would be destroyed. By fostering this belief, the citizens would care more for the city and also for one another. There would be complete absence of conflict in the Ideal State. Plato’s Communism; the Elite: [Book III, Socrates and Glaucon, p.681]. The guardians’ education, habitations, and all that belonged to them were not to impair their virtue as guardians. None would have property of his own. Since they were men of temperance and courage, and were to live like trained warriors, they would live together like soldiers in a camp. Since they had gold and silver within them, they were not to mix with men who had dross in them. If these regulations were not followed, they would cause ruin to themselves as well as to the State. Women In the Military: [Book V, Socrates, Adimantus, and Glaucon, p. 712]. Socrates was of the opinion that women should be governed by the same regulations as men, regarding birth, nurture, and education. Women also, should be taught music, gymnastics and the art of war. Men and women alike possessed the qualities that made a guardian, they differed only in their comparative strengths and weaknesses. Women who resembled men in their capacity and character were to be selected as their companions and colleagues. Such a union between the best men and women would result in great benefit to the state. The wives and children of the guardians were to be common, and parent or child could know each other. Plato’s Eugenics, Population Control, Day Care Nurseries: [Book V, Socrates and Glaucon, p. 720]. The men and women selected as guardians would live in common houses and meet for common meals. None can own any possessions. In the regulations of marriages and births, the rulers would have to use a lot of falsehood and deceit. Socrates said that only the rulers should keep the secret that if the offspring should be of first-rate condition, the best of both sexes should unite often, and the inferior as seldom as possible. According to Will Durant, celibacy was part of the psychological structure of the power of the clergy. To keep the breed of the guardians pure, certain nurses were to bring up the offspring of good parents, but inferior offspring would be put away in a mysterious unknown place. For the purpose of population control, women could bear children from the age of 20 to 40, and men from 25 to 55. Thus the guardians were to have wives and children in common. When true philosopher kings were born in a State, they would give justice the greatest importance, and set order in their city. They would send out into the country all the inhabitants who were over ten years old. They would take possession of their children and train them in their own habits and laws as given by the rulers. In this way, the nation which had such a constitution would gain most. Question: Do you agree or disagree with Plato’s argument? Though certain philosophies of Plato, such as belief in a transcendent God , and his acknowledgment of “immateriality” show his wisdom in these criteria, it is difficult to agree with him regarding his “Royal Lies” for the purpose of building a strong and conflict-free Ideal State, where justice would prevail. The arguments are unrealistic and impractical. If his ideas were to be put into practice, the Ideal State that he dreams of will not become a reality, only destruction and disharmony would result. No rulers can govern people on the basis of false-hoods, deceipt and lies. Rebellion and revolt would be sure to result at one point of time or the other, and the results would be disastrous. In conclusion, Plato’s “Royal Lies” concepts are original and unique, and display the mind of a great thinker and philosopher, who wishes to establish justice and peace in the land. MANUSCRIPT ILLUSTRATION IN ISLAMIC ART Introduction: Fostered by the Mongol invasions of the mid-thirteenth century, profound impact was seen on the arts of Iran. The new role of manuscript illustration became a significant forum for courtly patronage2. Early Islamic art is from c.650 to c. 1000, and the medieval art is from c. 1000 to c. 1250. (Ettinghausen, et al Intro). According to Linda Komaroff, the major characteristics of Islamic art is calligraphy: It has always been considered as the most important and the noblest form of art, because of its association with the Quran, or the Muslim holy book, which is written in Arabic. Another important characteristic is the covering of surfaces with patterns composed of geometric or vegetal elements. Figural imagery is also used widely in manuscript illustrations, though not in a religious context. Robert Irwin says optics, perspective, colour and geometry shed light on Islamic art, so also did astronomy and astrology. In most manuscript illustrations, the text begins on the verso of the first folio, about a quarter of the way down from the top of the page. In illuminated manuscripts, this space is occupied by the title of the book in its central panel, or the ‘basmalah’ or ‘tasmiyah’: “In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate.” The text ended with a colophon, containing book’s title, author’s name, the date, etc, presented in the form of an inverted pyramid or triangle. ( ARA Canada ). MANUSCRIPT ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE ARCHIVES OF lacma.org No. 1. The above is an enthronement scene, page from a manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings). It is dated 1525 – 1575. The medium used is ink, opaque water colour, and gold on paper. The place where it was made is considered to be Turkey. The dimensions are: 6 3/16 in. x 9 7/8 in. Both rich as well as muted colours have been used. The figures are well-defined, and all the shapes are distinct from one another. Complex geometric designs as well as intricate patterns like the arabesque, create the impression of unending repetition, which is believed to induce contemplation on the infinite nature of God. Expression of hierarchy is seen by the king sitting at a higher level, after being enthroned, as compared to his courtiers. No.2.     Artist Greater Iran, Bukhara Title Page From a Manuscript of Yusuf and Zulaykha by Jami Date 1557/A.H. 964 Media Ink and gold on paper Dimensions unspecified: 10 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. (26.67 x 15.875 cm) Credit Line Purchased with funds provided by the Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, gift of Joan Palevsky Inventory # M.85.146 Type of Artwork Manuscript Page; Book/manuscript/periodical/album Department Ancient and Islamic Art: Islamic Place Made Greater Iran, Bukhara This page from a manuscript of the Qur’an is by artist Abbasid Caliphate. The kufic characters in ink written on parch-ment belong to the ninth century. The floral margin forms the frame of the art piece. No.3 The muted tones of the colour scheme and the homogeneity of the design are notable. The background filled densely with floral motifs is unique to Islamic art. The calligraphy which is also an important part of the art is usually verses from the Qur’an. The geometric outlines and asymmetry of the design is notable. No. 4   Artist Iran, Tabriz The title of the manuscript illustration is “ A King and a Sage converse in a rocky landscape. It is dated circa 1525. The media used are ink and opaque water colours on paper. The dimensions are 8 ½ x 5 ¼ in. In this illustration, a depiction of everyday life can be seen. The king’s subjects are shown working on the rocky slopes. Appropriate choices of colours have been used, adding to the natural look of the scene. Calligraphy has been used in juxtaposition with the figures in the picture. The art of calligraphy played a dominant role in Islamic art, combined with every sort of decorative scheme. The cursive style with rounded letters shown here is known as Naskh. Both Naskh and Kufic were known from the early centuries. (Khazaie, Mohammed, Art on Podium). No. 5   Artist Iraq, Baghdad (?) Title King Khusraw Parviz Listens to Barbad the concealed musician. Illustration from a manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings). It is dated circa 1300. Medium used is ink, opaque water colour and gold on paper. Place of creation: Iraq, Baghdad. The colours of nature , stylised and symbolic forms are a consistent theme in Islamic art. The garden of paradise is the reward for a virtuous and devout life under Allah. In this illustration, the pictorial depiction of King Khusraw listening to Barbad, the musician, is placed in the centre of the manuscript. The symmetrical and linear upper and lower areas of the manuscript displays the calligraphy as an element of design. This type of illustration has been very popular in early Islamic art. The border of densely decorative floral motifs completes the beauty of the picture. WORKS CITED For Plato’s “Royal Lies”: Constitutional Rights Foundation. Web page: http://www.crf-usa.org/bria/bria19_4c.htm Durant, Will. The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the Great Philosophers. Simon and Schuster, 1926. LifeIssues.Net; Irving, Dianne N. “Plato’s Royal Lies”: Aug 3, 2004. Web page: http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/irv/irv_69plato1.html Plato. Plato’s Republic(Complete): Agora Publications Inc. For Manuscript Illustrations: ARA Canada : Les Amis de la Reliure d’Art du Canada. Web site: http://www.aracanada.org/activities_exhibitions_national_ISL_2_en.html Ettinghausen, Richard; Grabar, Oleg; Jenkins-Madina, Marilyn. Islamic Art and Architecture 650 - 1250. Yale University Press, 2nd Edition, Aug 1, 2003. Irwin, Robert. Islamic Art, Architecture, and the Literary World . Web page: http://dannyreviews.com/h/Islamic_Art.html Khazaie, Mohammed: The Development of the Arts of the Book in Early Islamic Art of Persia: Art of Podium. Web page: http://www.iranchamber.com/podium/art/020607_development_book_persia.php Komaroff, Linda: Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Web page: http://www.godweb.org/mohammedpaintings.htm Read More