“Plato was an enemy of the open society” (Popper) comment. (UPSC CSE Mains 2015- Political Science and International Relations, Paper 1)
Open Society denotes a democratic society marked by fundamental rights. Karl Popper in his book ‘Open Society and its Enemies.’ (1945) calls Plato, Hegel and Karl Marx as enemies of open society. He suggests that the theories of Plato have a dangerous tendency towards totalitarianism. He believes that Plato’s readers have been under the ‘spell of Plato’, which obstructs their judgement. He calls Plato “an enemy of open society” on the basis of following arguments.
- Essentialism: It is linked to Plato’s ‘theory of form’. Plato suggests that the idea(essence) forms the absolute reality. He makes us believe that essence is supreme knowledge and disregards the reality of this world. Plato divorces us from reality and forces us to think about some reality, which is beyond the understanding of the common man.
- Holism: Plato does not give importance to the individual and sacrifices the individual in the name of collectivity.
- Historicism: Historicism means the ideological use of history. Presenting history in a manner that serves political purpose. Plato has given the life cycle of an ideal state. The ideal state will decay into the rule of the soldier class. (timocracy) which will decay into the rule of the rich. (Aristocracy). Thus Plato suggests that to prevent decay, there is a necessity for the rigid and strong control of the philosopher king.
Popper suggests that all the totalitarian leaders reflect the above ideas. e.g. they establish the primacy of state/nation/race over the individual. To justify their rule, they rely on the creation of myths, presenting myths as the ultimate reality. They give the law of decay and suggest that if people do not want decay or postpone it, they will have to make sacrifices.
Popper believed that Plato''s emphasis on a rigid class structure, strict censorship, and the rule of a philosopher-king who had absolute power over the lives of citizens, resembled the features of a totalitarian regime. Popper contended that Plato''s vision of the state did not allow for individual freedom, diversity of opinion, or the possibility of progress through open debate and criticism. In contrast, Popper advocated for an "open society" where individuals have the freedom to express themselves, participate in decision-making, and challenge existing ideas through rational discourse. Popper''s critique of Plato''s political philosophy reflects his commitment to defending liberal democracy and the values of individual liberty and critical thinking.
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