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But he is by this time so launched upon political discussion that he reverts to it almost immedi ately, to expatiate, in the fifth, sixth, and seventh books of the Republic, upon the rule of life and education of the govern ing classes. We shall, then, perhaps do well to see him through in his exposition of political theory before inquiring into the light it sheds on ethics. So far as the regimen of the guardians is concerned, we have, Plato tells us, to prepare for three most revolutionary ideas, or "waves," as he calls them. The first is the absolute equality of men and women in all things so far as the differences of character and strength imposed upon them by the distinction of sex permit. These differences are really very slight, witness the lower animals where nature has fair play. prev next |