The Noble Lie

The Noble Lie In book III, Socrates begins to describe criteria for an ideal city. Socrates begins by describing who should rule this ideal city. He feels that they must choose guardians who have the state’s interest at heart, because they see it identical with their own interest. Socrates feels that the guardians will be the backbone of the state who will protect the state and the people. And, that the guardians will help …

…this lie is justified because Socrates is only trying to find a plan that will create an ideal city. Basically there has always been some form of social status so he has justification to have the guardians put the people in the class where the can produce the most output for the state. Without a plan of how to begin this ideal city, I think that things would become chaotic, and would quickly fall apart.