What should be the role of the women in the ideal society according to Plato?

Answer 1

The Greek Philosopher Plato is a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. All his philosophical writing are presented through the dialogue in which Socrates is the major character. This essay is taken from his philosophical book 'The Republic' and in this essay Plato is talking about differences between men and women, the role of men and women and the position, status and functions of men and women in the ideal society.

This essay begins with Plato's concept of men and women differences and considers that man is the guard of the flock of the family. By using the analogy of the watchdog to both men and women, Plato considers that the female watchdogs should breed and rear the child. Women, they are physical disable and they should do the light indoor works which fit their physical structure. On the other hand male watchdogs are physically strong so they should do the outdoor works such as fetching bread and butter to the family. Their physical structure is very strong so they can go to the hunting and warfare. Plato says, " The female conceives and the male begets". This expression meaningfully reflects Plato's idea and reconsiders that the reproductive system determines the labor value. In other words, Plato believes that the reproductive process makes women physically weaker and their physical structure is not suitable to do the heavy labor such as going to hunting and war. Similarly, he believes that women are fit to work inside the house in the light works. Men never become pregnant and they are always physically fit. So, he says that man should go outside different form as teacher, carpenter, lawyer, priest and so on. According to Plato women can do better in weaving and cooking because they have natural aptitude in such job. Men can better hunt and fight because they have the natural aptitude in such works.

Plato further says that a woman and a man in ideal society should be treated not because of the gender or the sex but because of the individual natural aptitude and talent. He says that woman is naturally weaker but any woman with strong muscular body like the body of the man can share the physically challenging work. She should be given the same education and training like the male. It reflects that Plato believes the women also can do strong and physically challenging works if they get proper guideline and training.

By this Plato tries to clarify that both men and women have their own duties as their body structure. They should play their role as fitted for them. But there should not be any discrimination on the name of their role and gender. In ideal society both male and female should fulfill their own duties where there has no place of any exploitation.

Answer 2

In Plato's ideal society, women should have the same opportunities for education and civic participation as men. He believed that women should be able to hold positions of power and influence based on their merit and abilities, rather than their gender. Plato felt that a society's potential could not be fully realized if half of its population (women) were excluded from equal participation.