Relation of Philosophy and Rule of Society from Standpoints of Plato and Farabi

Plato and Farabi made attempts to design Ideal City for happiness of society. Both of them maintain that the real happiness of community depends on the pursuit of wisdom (philosophy). accordingly they hold that only philosopher –king is qualified to run such a society. Indeed what urged these two forerunners to design Ideal City is to live in the light of wisdom and rule of philosopher that contribute man to attain ascending journey and finally the pinnacle of perfection. Reflecting on the works of both Plato and Farabi, the present article is an attempt to explain the high status of wisdom and philosopher-ruler in Ideal City and then scrutinize the various forms of government envisaged by these two philosophers. The qualifications and characteristics that such a ruler should enjoy are also dealt with in the article which finally makes a comparison between these two great thinks.