Question

What does Socrates mean when he says democracy is "the fairest of the regimes"? What does he mean when he says "it's a convenient place to look for a regime"?

A. Socrates means democracy is just and fair to all citizens
B. Socrates implies democracy is the most beautiful regime
C. Socrates suggests that democracy is easy to study and understand
D. Socrates refers to democracy as the most efficient regime

Answer 1

Socrates's phrase about democracy being 'the fairest of the regimes', considering the context of his time and the irony he often used, likely carries a nuanced critique rather than outright praise. His suggestion that democracy is 'a convenient place to look for a regime' might mean it's open to analysis and critique.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Socrates refers to democracy as "the fairest of the regimes," this is likely an interpretation of his dialogue in Plato's works, considering that Socrates himself did not write down his thoughts, and his ideas are known through the writings of his students, such as Plato. It does not genuinely reflect Socrates's approval of democracy, especially considering the context in which democratic Athens sentenced him to death for his philosophical inquiries and for supposedly corrupting the youth. Thus, the phrase should be understood in the light of Socratic irony — it was likely intended to express a nuanced view on democratic systems of governance. In saying that democracy is "a convenient place to look for a regime," he may imply that democracy is susceptible to inspection and critique because it visibly displays its characteristics through the actions and decisions of the many.