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A short reply to Wolff's (Plato's) argument that democracy is irrational

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2009

Fraser W. Smith
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Extract

Wolff suggests by way of the following argument (adapted by Wolff from Plato's Republic) that democracy appears to be irrational. Here is the argument given:

1) Ruling is a skill.

2) It is rational to leave the exercise of skills to experts [sic]

3) In a democracy the people rule.

4) The people are not experts. Therefore:

5) Democracy is irrational.

Type
Research Article
Information
Think , Volume 6 , Issue 16 , Winter 2008 , pp. 49 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Philosophy 2008

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