Aryana Libris

Author : Avakov Alexander V.
Title : Plato's dreams realized Surveillance and citizen rights from KGB to FBI
Year : 2006

Link download : Avakov_Alexander_V_-_Plato_s_dreams_realized.zip

Introduction : the Spell of Plato. Karl Popper, in The Open Society and Its Enemies, presented the most devastating critique of the totalitarian philosophy. Popper argued forcefully that in The Republic Plato laid down a vision of society which, through a philosophical tradition including Hegel, led to totalitarianism. Popper’s work begins with the section named “The Spell of Plato,” which starts with citations for and against the open society. For the Open Society (about 430 BC) : Although only a few may originate a policy, we all are able to judge it. - Pericles of Athens Against the Open Society (about 80 years later) : The greatest principle of all is that nobody, whether male or female, should be without a leader. Nor should the mind of anybody be habituated to letting him do anything at all on his own initiative; neither out of zeal, nor even playfully. But in war and in the midst of peace - to his leader he shall direct his eye and follow him faithfully. And even in the smallest matter he should stand under leadership. For example, he should get up, or move, or wash, or take his meals… only if he has been told to do so. In a word, he should teach his soul, by long habit, never to dream of acting independently, and to become utterly incapable of it. ...