Topics Philosophers

Question How would Plato, Socrates, or Aristotle feel about guns and gun control?

Accepted:
March 29, 2013

Comments

Not an easy question to take on! This sounds like a question about the USA theatre of debate on gun control and not, say, a question about Great Britain. I will assume a USA context and the debate about background checks, allowing for conceal and carry, and the permissibility of allowing private citizens to have guns that are "military grade" such as an AK-47 or an uzi.

None of the three were pacifists or believed that it was wrong to serve in the Athenian army or navy; Socrates actually served as a foot soldier and was a veteran of the war between Athens and her allies and Sparta and her allies. We have some reason to think Socrates served with distinction. In Plato's version of Socrates' trial (the Apology), Socrates spoke to his judges and the people of Athens to not neglect the care of their souls. This may plausibly be understood as Socrates urging others not to be victims of their own pride, to question their claims to know what is just or holy. Such self-questioning and questioning the convictions of others is only possible under conditions that are pacific or at least non-violent. If you are not safe challenging the "wisdom" of others, your life as a philosopher may be limited and, worse, quite short. So Socrates and his student Plato, and Aristotle (who was Plato's student) had an interest in a culture in which violence (unjustified or tyranical force) is minimal. Based on this, I think the three of them would oppose a heavily armed population with weapons of widely destructive power. So, I suspect they would not want average Athenians to have access to "Greek fire" (a kind of petroleum based weapon that cannot be put out with water, or at least not put out easily). And, if that is right, I suppose they would oppose wide spread possession of military grade weaponry --minimally no shoulder launched anti-aircraft rockets and no machine guns. Also, I think that if they (or we) want a safe context do practice philosophy, we would all want weapons not to be sold to people who have had history of mental illness, violence, a criminal record, and so on. So, while your question is on the verge of being completely impossible to answer (such as asking whether Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle would drive a hybrid), we may be able (very tentatively) to see how their teachings might lead one to support those in the USA who are seeking tighter controls on guns for the sake of public safety. Still, who knows? Maybe they might all three want to join the NRA.

But if you or anyone has read this reply up to now, I will hazard a guess about what Socrates, Plato and Aristotle would do if they found themselves in the USA. I think they might board the next plane to the UK where there is far less gun violence

Question How would Plato, Socrates, or Aristotle feel about guns and gun control? Accepted:March 29, 2013

Question How would Plato, Socrates, or Aristotle feel about guns and gun control?

Accepted:
March 29, 2013