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Is there any point in thinking about the best possible society? Over the last decade or so, a number of political philosophers have argued that such "ideal theory" is a dangerous distraction from the concrete power struggles that make up "real politics." Jonny Thakkar takes a different view, arguing that each and every one of us has a duty to engage in ideal theory. To make that case he turns to Plato's Republic, which depicts an ideal society within which ideal theory itself plays a vital role, thanks to the institution of philosopher-kings. The first half of the book offers a careful but creative reading of the notion of rule by philosophers. The second half of the book argues that in today's liberal democracies what we need is not philosopher-kings but philosopher-citizens--citizens who reflect, both individually and together, on how they could work together to produce an environment conducive to flourishing. Plato as Critical Theorist argues that the notion of philosopher-citizens is not only compatible with Rawlsian political liberalism, but an advance on it.--.

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Epigraph
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• 1. What Is Philosophy For?
• 2. Why Philosophers Should Rule
• 3. The Beautiful City
• 4. Plato and Athens
• 5. Historical Possibility
• 6. Philosopher-Citizens
• 7. Moneymaking and Malfunction
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Index