Arête as the Foundation of Plato's Designed Political System

Arête is the foundation of Plato’s political system, so that it is both the end and the means to the end of the formation of the polis. In other words, arête is the spirit of Plato’s utopia. Although, by defining arête as “knowledge of the good and practice according to it” Plato considers as impossible the teaching of arête by sophists, but evaluates it’s teaching by true teachers of arête as the essence of firmness of polis and its happiness.Most of the specific characteristics of Plato’s political philosophy are influenced by his philosophy’s political arête-based character. The political teaching like philosopher-king, the definition of justice as “the state in which every body do it his/her own task”, the leveld/casted nature of utopia, the equity between men and women in entering political arena, opposing democracy and other deteriorated forms of government are among the consequences of arête based character of Plato’s political system.The investigation and analysis of Plato’s political system in the light of its arête-based spirit, paves the way for the evaluation of criticisms to his political philosophy. On the basis, the position of some of his critiques e.g. popper is disputable.