著者

齊藤 安潔

出版者

日本哲学会

雑誌

哲学 (ISSN:03873358)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.2008, no.59, pp.163-178,L17, 2008-04-01 (Released:2010-07-01)

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In the Republic, Socrates says rulers may need to use a false story-a so-called ‘noble lie’ (414b-c)-or a false marriage lottery (460a), in order to persuade citizens to do the right thing. An apparently similar trick is suggested in the Laws by the Athenian to persuade citizens that the just life brings more pleasure than the unjust life (663d-e). He says there that even if the state of the case were different from what has been proved by the argument, the lawgiver would not be able to tell any more ‘profitable falsehood’ for the young. These forms of deception in the Republic and the ‘profitable falsehood’ in the Laws are usually assimilated, and taken to imply that rulers are permitted to make free use of falsehood. My contention is that they serve different purposes for Plato and thus should not be taken to reinforce the same conclusion.In the Republic, the purpose of realizing the ideal state by creating the philosopher king, who has insight into the Form of Good, justifies the use of falsehood. But such a king does not exist in the state described in the Laws. It therefore becomes all important to persuade citizens and induce them to obey the laws freely. Plato is confident that his argument concerning the just life is true- and in addition, that it is one of his most profitable arguments. In the context of the Laws, Plato tries to achieve his goal by educating citizens to be virtuous through dialectical arguments. If all he wanted to achieve were their unquestioning obedience, he would not have suggested the possibility of the falsity of his argument (663d-e).Whereas the argument in the Republic centers around the education and rule of the philosopher king, Plato's concern in the Laws is to persuade citizens towards the virtuous life through dialogue, which presupposes a basis of agreement and understanding. Plato's dialogue, the Laws, is intended to be the most adequate and suitable story for the young to hear, and, as such, is free from falsehood.