Final answer:
The quickest and easiest way to establish the rule of true philosophers is by encouraging widespread education and critical thinking, following the teachings and beliefs of philosophers like Socrates and Plato who advocated for reason and critical examination of ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quickest and easiest way to establish the rule of true philosophers is to encourage widespread education and critical thinking. Historically, philosophers like Socrates and Plato emphasized the importance of seeking truth through reason, criticism, and clear articulation of ideas. The dialectical process encouraged by Socrates and the allegory of the cave by Plato suggest that truth and enlightenment come from education and the use of reason. Socrates's method involves continuous questioning to explore the essence of concepts, and Plato's philosophy points out that real knowledge is achieved through abstract reasoning and critical thinking. Furthermore, the idea that philosophy does not hold a large body of accepted truths, but rather focuses on reasoned argumentation to approach insights, supports the notion that promoting education and critical thinking is essential for the rule of true philosophers. The Socratic method teaches us to acknowledge our ignorance to refine our understanding, a practice that aligns with fostering critical thinking. Hence, suppressing philosophical thought, promoting ignorance, or installing a dictatorship are contrary to the philosophies of Socrates and Plato, which prizes wisdom and the comprehension of truth obtained through rational inquiry and education.