Final answer:
Plato argues in The Republic that the guardian class should not own private property to promote social harmony and maintain the city's peace. Guardians, including philosopher-kings, should live communally and rule without the conflicts and corruption that personal wealth could cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
In The Republic, Plato discusses the holding of private property by the guardian class. He expresses the view that guardians should not own private property. Plato's rationale is based on the idea that the accumulation of wealth can lead to laziness and selfishness, jeopardizing the harmony of the state. Instead, he suggests that sufferings and joys, along with property, should be common among the guardians, as this promotes social harmony and the notion of justice in the state.
He posits that without the conflicts that private property can cause, the city can become more unified and focused on the common good. In this ideal society, all citizens perform their roles diligently, but it is the guardians who must eschew personal wealth and live communally to maintain virtue and justice.
Guardians serve as the leaders and protectors of the society, trained from a young age to be exceptionally skilled and virtuous – qualities that necessitate them leading a life without personal possessions. This is essential for creating a society where justice prevails as the guardians focus solely on the needs of the community. By removing the desire for personal accumulation, the philosopher-kings and guardians can rule without the corruption that might otherwise stem from personal gain, upholding Plato's vision of a just and virtuous city.