Manliness as Art to Distinction

Abstract

This article is dedicated to the theme of manliness in Plato’s philosophy. The starting point is Plato’s dialogue “Laches” where this subject is brought into question. Our main argumentation is based on the materials provided by the dialogue Republic because this is the dialogue where manliness is being considered as one of the principal human und political qualities. The theme of manliness is set in a context which includes a series of concepts of great importance such as Goodness, Friendship, Liberty, Intelligence and last but not least Philosophy. Manliness is characteristic of the guards who in order to best perform their role and defend the polis, they must be able to draw the line between that which belongs to their polis and that which does not. The capacity to distinguish constitutes the essential nature of the guards. This nature is regarded as substantially philosophical, but needs to be actualized. The way to do it is to educate the guards. So we arrive at the problem of paideia. It should be kept in mind that the main purpose of “The State” is to elucidate the structure and the nature of the human soul. The guards whose inherent privilege is manliness occupy an intermediate position in the system of the polis and consequently in that of the soul and correspond to the intellectual capacity responsible for ratiocination and rational choice. Manliness is represented within the following conceptual line: manliness as valor of the soldier, as excellence of the guard, as citizenship, as valor of the free. The relevant contexts of Plato’s dialogues are given close consideration, the results of linguistic studies which corroborate the relevant theses are adduced. Refs 9.