The blog post below was produced entirely by GPT-4.0, following a series of iterative prompts I provided, from the Introduction to the References and Footnotes, included. Please refer to my AI (Artificial Intelligence) and HI (Human Intelligence) Table in the last section. In the next post, I will include the full listing of my prompts, text evaluation, and time investment versus return analysis. I will also attempt prompting for some further improvements beyond this initial analysis.
Plato’s Perspective on the Hundred Years’ War
Introduction
The Hundred Years’ War, a prolonged and devastating conflict between England and France (1337-1453), was a historical event unknown to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Nonetheless, by examining his philosophical ideas, primarily in “The Republic” and “Laws,” we may speculate on his potential views regarding such a conflict.
The Philosopher King and the Ideal State
The Philosopher-King and the Ideal State In his magnum opus, “The Republic,” Plato presents the concept of a philosopher-king, an individual embodying wisdom and justice, who governs the ideal state (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 473c-d, Book V)1. This enlightened ruler, possessing both knowledge and moral integrity, would guide society toward harmony and justice.
War as Necessary Evil
In the “Laws,” Plato acknowledges that war might be a necessary recourse, particularly when defending the state against injustice (Plato, Laws, Stephanus 625c, Book I)2. However, he also emphasizes the importance of striving for peace and pursuing diplomacy whenever possible.
Striving for Peace
Plato contends that an ideal state should always seek to cultivate peace with other nations, fostering a spirit of friendship and cooperation (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 470a-b, Book V)3. This suggests that, had he been aware of the Hundred Years’ War, Plato would likely have advocated for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
The Guardians as Defenders of the State
The Guardians: Defenders of the State In “The Republic,” Plato introduces the guardians, a class of citizens specifically trained to defend the state and uphold its values (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 414a-b, Book III)4. These individuals, educated in both martial and intellectual pursuits, would protect the state from external threats, such as those posed during the Hundred Years’ War.
Governance in Times of War
Though Plato acknowledges the potential necessity of war, he cautions against allowing it to dominate the state’s agenda (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 468a-b, Book V)5. Instead, he argues that governance should remain focused on promoting the well-being of citizens and maintaining social harmony.
Fostering Social Harmony and Virtue
Plato maintains that an ideal state should strive to cultivate virtue among its citizens, promoting wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice (Plato, Republic, Stephanus 427e-428a, Book IV)6. In this context, the prolonged conflict of the Hundred Years’ War might be seen as a distraction from the state’s primary goal of fostering a harmonious and virtuous society.
Conclusion
Though Plato lived centuries before the Hundred Years’ War, his philosophical ideas can provide valuable insights into how he might have viewed such a conflict. By examining his writings, particularly “The Republic” and “Laws,” we can speculate that Plato would have recognized the potential necessity of war in certain circumstances but would have strongly advocated for peace, diplomacy, and the pursuit of justice and virtue in governance.
References
| Title | Author | Date Written | Chicago citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Republic | Plato | 380 BCE | Plato. The Republic. Translated by G.M.A. Grube. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1992. |
| Laws | Plato | 348 BCE | Plato. Laws. Translated by A.E. Taylor. London: Dent, 1934. |
Footnotes
- Plato, Republic, 473c-d. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Plato, Laws, 628a-630d. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Plato, Republic, 470a-471c. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Plato, Republic, 433b-c. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Plato, Republic, 414b-415d. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Plato, Laws, 348, 663a-b. Perseus Digital Library | The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
AI (Artificial Intelligence) and HI (Human Intelligence) Statement
Modified from Brewin http://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/apr/04/why-i-wrote-an-ai-transparency-statement-for-my-book-and-think-other-authors-should-too
| Has any text been generated using AI? | Yes |
| Has any text been improved or corrected using HI? | No |
| Has any methods of analysis been suggested using HI? | Yes |
| Has any methods of analysis been suggested using AI? | No |
| Do any analyses utilize AI technologies, such as Large Language Models, for tasks like analyzing, summarizing, or retrieving information from data? | Yes |