Ship of State
Socrates is asked why philosophers are considered useless by the public. He responds with a parable: imagine a ship where the captain (the people) is stronger than the sailors but has poor sight and hearing and little knowledge of navigation. The sailors (politicians) quarrel over the helm, though none has learned the art of navigation. They drug the captain, seize control, and call anyone who knows actual navigation a "stargazer" and a "good-for-nothing." The true pilot is ignored while the ship sails badly. Socrates says this is democracy: politicians flatter the people to gain power, while those who actually understand justice and the good are dismissed as impractical.
The Text
What You'll Learn
Comprehension
Describes the ship: captain (people), sailors (politicians), true pilot (philosopher)
Cause & Consequence
Explains why the sailors take over: they flatter the captain, they don't believe in navigation as a skill
Meaning
Takes a position on whether Plato's critique of democracy is valid
Evidence
Cites a specific detail from the parable
Defense
Maintains or thoughtfully revises their position under challenge
How It Works
Your AI tutor will guide you through this text using the Socratic method. Instead of giving you answers, it asks questions that help you discover the meaning for yourself.
- 1.Read the text carefully
- 2.Answer the tutor's questions in your own words
- 3.Progress through each stage as you demonstrate understanding
Free to try. No credit card required.