Beware the poet
The poetry and luminosity of this work sets a precedent for me for the dangers of poetry in politics. I have found many of the images in The Republic enduringly beautiful and compelling (especially the Cave) but think about it! What could be more elitist and reactionary than Platonism and its essentialist underpinnings?
The concept of philosopher kings has proved unsurprisingly beguiling; it's the foundation of kyriarchal thought. Who should rule? The smartest cis-het able-bodied middle-aged white dude we can find! Right.
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