THE PROBLEM OF THE LAW - RULER RELATIONSHIP IN PLATO'S POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

This work addresses the problem of the relationship between the ruler and the laws in Plato's political philosophy, being considered, in the opinion of some scholars, as an aspect where the founder of the Academy does not offer a sufficiently clear approach. This lack of certainty would be perceived specifically in the issue of authority, due to, while some passages of the Dialogues seem to defend unrestricted respect for the provisions of the law, others, their obedience seems subject to the criteria of a ruler conceived as a model of knowledge, wisdom and moral rectitude («philosopher-king»). Focusing then on the examination of some of the main texts of Plato's philosophical-political reflection, we propose to demonstrate the final conviction of the Greek philosopher for the superiority of the ruler, this, from a conception of the latter centred on the acquisition of knowledge (either from philosophy or political art), and especially by a conception of the law also defined –as the ruler– based on the primacy and relevance that the idea of ​​the Good presents in its system.