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حوكمڕانى دهستوورى له ديدى ئهفلاتۆن داتوێژينهوهيهكى فهلسهفيى – شيكارييه
Keywords: Plato, Political Philosophy, State, Constitutionalism, Law, Authority, Justice.
PROCEEDINGS OF 8th INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ISSUES CONFERENCE
Faculty of Law / Tishk International University
Date:1-2. February 2024
Venue: Kurdistan Region- Erbil
ISBN: 979-8-9890269-1-3
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Asst. Prof. Dr. Osman Ali Hassan Weisy
Kurdistan Parliament – Iraq
Asst. Lect. Hassan Mustafa Hussein
Soran University, faculty of law
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Abstract
Plato, the eminent philosopher and profound thinker, is celebrated worldwide for his distinctive approach to political and legal philosophy. He occupies a prominent position in the realm of political theory, standing as one of the foremost philosophers to tackle profound questions concerning the state, law, politics, constitution, authority, the optimal form of governance, and justice. Plato’s philosophical insights on these subjects are notably encapsulated within his three renowned dialogues: “Republic,” “The Statesman,” and “The Laws.”
While the modern concept of constitutionalism, as articulated by the English philosopher John Locke, took its roots in the political and legal discourse centuries later, its nascent form can be traced back approximately twenty-three centuries ago to ancient Greece. This research represents a scholarly and intellectual endeavor aimed at addressing profound philosophical inquiries surrounding the notion of constitutional governance—a system of governance that adheres to the norms and principles of the constitution, laws, and regulations—by examining Plato’s dialogues. It seeks to shed light on questions such as: What role did law and constitution play in Plato’s legal philosophy? What form of constitution and political system did Plato propose for the ideal state? How did Plato’s philosophy influence today’s governance and constitutionalism issues? This research, employing both descriptive and analytical approaches, grounded in the field of legal philosophy, concludes that Plato’s theses resoundingly echo the principles of constitutionality and the rule of law.
In Plato’s “Republic,” he envisioned an ideal state where philosophers wielded authority, seemingly transcending the necessity of law. However, in his work “The Statesman,” Plato shifted the focus to the ruler’s expertise in political science, culminating in the creation of a constitution for the city in “The Laws.” This constitution adopts a hybrid approach, blending elements of monarchy and democracy. These two systems of governance stand in stark contrast to each other: Monarchy rests on the principle of authority, while democracy champions freedom and equality. Plato’s reflections on the constitution and law have reverberated through the annals of time and have influenced the drafting of modern constitutions. Remarkably, one of the founding fathers of the American constitution, John Adams, in his three-volume work titled “Defense of the Constitutions of the Government of the United States,” published in 1788, lauds Plato’s theses on matters of constitution, public welfare, education, and law.
Plato’s enduring legacy as a philosopher and his profound insights into constitutional governance continue to shape the intellectual landscape of political and legal philosophy, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for contemporary thought and governance structures.
سهرچاوهكان
يهكهم: بهزمانى كوردى
دووهم: به زمانى ئينگليزى
سێيهم: بهزمانى فهڕهنسى
چوارهم: سهرچاوه ئهليكتڕۆنييهكان