In the first wave of Plato Republic V, Socrates states that capable women must have equal education as capable men and have equal rights in leadership with guardian men. However, it is then stated that the male gender is superior to the female gender in almost every profession, and goes even further to state that women are weaker then men. This essay will discuss the significance of Socrates' proposal along with why Socrates has such a radical interpretation of equality.
The main argument throughout the first wave is that men and women should equally share the duties in their community, their education, studies, and physical training should be equal in both genders. The significance of Socrates' proposal shows his necessity for creating the ideal utopian society. During Socrates' time women were have thought to be nothing more than a common "housewife", men were the "bread winners" the head of the family, an all around for the most part, patriarchal society. So by Socrates stating his proposition that women should have the same social equivalence to men, in the work place, at home, and should even be Guardians, was an extremely radical view for its' time. However, because of Socrates' strive for creating a utopian society it is understood that his view is necessary to keep peace. As proven throughout the history that follows Socrates' times, for example during the suffrage movement in the United States, a women's equality is was shown to be equally important as a mans'. Therefore it is to be thought by Socrates, that his proposition is in fact true, since both male and female must live and work together, peacefully, in society.
Socrates' surrounding society believes that ...