Who among the following thinkers had said that 'State is an individual writ large'?
Plato
Understanding the Quote: 'State is an Individual Writ Large'
The question asks which famous thinker stated that the 'State is an individual writ large'. This is a well-known philosophical idea, primarily associated with ancient Greek philosophy.
Analyzing the Quote and its Meaning
The phrase "'State is an individual writ large'" means that the structure, virtues, and vices found in a large entity like a state are essentially the same as those found in a single human individual, only on a much grander scale. It suggests a strong analogy or parallel between the microcosm (the individual) and the macrocosm (the state).
This idea implies that understanding the nature of the individual soul or person can help us understand the nature of society and the state, and vice versa. The characteristics of a just individual would mirror the characteristics of a just state.
Identifying the Thinker
This concept is most famously articulated by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, particularly in his seminal work, The Republic.
- In The Republic, Plato constructs an ideal state and argues that the structure of this state corresponds directly to the structure of the human soul.
- Plato divides the individual soul into three parts: Reason (λογιστικόν - logistikon), Spirit (θυμοειδές - thumoeides), and Appetite (ἐπιθυμητικόν - epithumetikon).
- He then parallels these parts with the three classes of his ideal state: the Guardians or Rulers (philosopher-kings), the Auxiliaries or Warriors, and the Producers (farmers, artisans, merchants).
- For Plato, a just individual is one where Reason rules Spirit and Appetite, ensuring harmony. Similarly, a just state is one where the Rulers (representing Reason) govern the Auxiliaries (representing Spirit) and the Producers (representing Appetite), ensuring social harmony and justice.
Therefore, Plato used the individual as a model or blueprint to understand and construct his ideal state. The state is, in essence, the individual's structure "written large" or magnified.
Why Other Options are Less Likely
- Aristotle: Plato's student, Aristotle, also discussed the state extensively, notably in Politics. While he believed humans are social creatures and the state exists for the sake of the good life, his approach was often more empirical and less focused on the direct soul-state analogy in the same way Plato's was. Aristotle saw the state as developing from simpler associations like the family and village, not as an individual writ large.
- Hobbes: Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century English philosopher, discussed the state (Leviathan) as a sovereign power necessary to escape the 'state of nature'. While he used the metaphor of Leviathan as an artificial man or body politic, his focus was on the social contract and absolute sovereignty, not the idea that the state's structure mirrors the individual soul.
- Rousseau: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an 18th-century Genevan philosopher, discussed the social contract and the 'general will'. His focus was on popular sovereignty and the collective will of the people, which is different from the Platonic analogy of the state being an individual writ large.
Based on the famous analogy and its central role in The Republic, the quote "'State is an individual writ large'" is unequivocally attributed to Plato.
| Thinker | Key Concept Related to State | Associated Idea/Work |
|---|---|---|
| Plato | State as individual writ large; analogy between soul and state structure | The Republic |
| Aristotle | State as natural development from families/villages; highest form of community for good life | Politics |
| Hobbes | State (Leviathan) as necessary sovereign power via social contract to prevent chaos | Leviathan |
| Rousseau | State based on social contract; guided by the general will | The Social Contract |
Conclusion on the Quote Attribution
The statement that the 'State is an individual writ large' is a cornerstone of Plato's political philosophy as presented in The Republic. He used this analogy to explain his concept of justice in both the individual and the state.
| Concept | Key Thinker | Brief Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| State is individual writ large | Plato | Structure of state mirrors structure of individual soul. |
| Political Animal (Zoon Politikon) | Aristotle | Humans are naturally inclined to live in a polis (city-state). |
| Social Contract (escaping state of nature) | Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau | Individuals agree to form a state for security or collective good. |
| General Will | Rousseau | The collective will aimed at the common good, guiding the sovereign people. |
| Leviathan | Hobbes | Metaphor for the artificial body politic or sovereign state. |
Additional Information on Plato's Philosophy
Plato's political philosophy is deeply integrated with his ethics and metaphysics. His idea of the ideal state is linked to his Theory of Forms, where the Form of Justice exists perfectly and is approximated in a just individual and a just state. The philosopher-kings are capable of grasping these Forms through reason and thus are best equipped to rule.
The analogy of the state as an individual writ large serves a specific purpose in Plato's argument: it helps him define justice. By analyzing justice in the state (which is easier to observe due to its size), he aims to understand justice in the individual soul.
Important Questions from Political Theory
Which of the following statements is not correct about Austin’s Concept of Sovereignty?
Who among the following made the statement: "Sovereignty is the supreme power of the State, over citizens and subjects unrestrained by law"?
Who has written that "The Leviathan of the state of the nature of Hobbes can never be a man"?
- Which of the following are correct statements?
A. Universalist argue that everyone is entitled to the same basic rights simply by virtue of their humanity
B. Cultural relativism means opposition of western values
C. Universalist do not consider polygamy as violation of gender equality or rights of women
D. Cultural relativism posits that human rights should be defined and interpreted within cultural framework of particular society
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below : - Rights are the external conditions necessary for the greatest possible development of the capacities of the personality. This statement belongs to :
