Ruling Bodies: A Study of Coercion and Punishment in Plato's Republic, Laws, and Gorgias

The book explores an epochal shift in ideas that changed the nature and meaning of coercion in modern political thought, examining the works of Foucault, Arendt, and Habermas and highlighting a discrepancy in their understanding of coercion. It then examines Platos Republic, Laws, and Gorgias to provide a framework and context for thinking about this shift. The author argues that the philosopher used coercion as a supplementary tool to help harmonize mans soul with the heavens, but when Hobbes recast the cosmos as matter in motion, power became the highest ordering principle for political life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

This book delves into a significant transformation in the understanding of coercion in modern political thought, drawing upon the works of Foucault, Arendt, and Habermas. It highlights a discrepancy in their perspectives on coercion and explores the concept through the lens of Plato's Republic, Laws, and Gorgias. Each work showcases a distinct style of Platonic statecraft that aligns with the philosopher's level of power within a city. The Republic exemplifies the philosopher's rule as a monarch, the Laws illustrate his governance when sharing power with a few spirited statesmen, and the Gorgias depict his rule in a democracy where power resides with the people. Ultimately, the author contends that the philosopher employed coercion as a supplementary means to align the human soul with the celestial realm. However, when Hobbes reimagined the cosmos as matter in motion, power emerged as the paramount organizing principle for political existence.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 228 x 159 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666907292