According to some accounts, Plato views ruling as a philosophical activity; according to others, he understands it to be a craft. Given the apparent discrepancy between philosophical and technical endeavor, it seems that the two interpretations cannot both be correct. The issue is explored in light of the relationship between guardians and philosopher-kings as it manifests itself in the basic structure of the Republic and also with respect to questions of education, character, and deceit.
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Peter J. Steinberger (1989) studied this question.
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