FREE ESSAY ON MILLS, FED. #10, AND PLATO

MILLS, FED. #10, AND PLATO

AmyLewis Govt. 150
Prof. Goldstene
IS OPINION GREATER THAN ORDER? 
Plato, James Madison, and John Mills are all supporters of the idea that opinion must be
discussed in public debate. In my own reason-based thought this idea that through silence
ignorance grows louder is my own general understanding.
In Plato's The Republic he discuses the idea that there is first knowledge at the first
degree. In the second degree there is opinion which is neither proven to be true or
false. In the last degree is falsehood. He argues that opinion is not pure knowledge and
therefore can not be pure truth. Plato goes on to say, "But surely when a man is deceived
in his own mind we can fairly call his ignorance of the truth "true falsehood". For a
false statement is merely some kind of representation of a state of mind, an expression
consequent on it, and not the original unadulterated falsehood." This is also true for
pure knowledge. The truth we believe in our own mind is true to us; it's called our
opinion. This shows that in order to form pure knowledge we have to voice the truth that
is in our minds, which in fact are opinions. In order to learn pure truth we need to test
opinions to prove their status. Plato stated, "And it will produce its natural effects
also in the individual. It renders him incapable of action because of internal conflicts
and division of purpose, and sets him at variance with himself and with all who are
just." He said this about men who were at odds with themselves. In reality falsehood
causes inner conflict and in order to have inner peace that conflict must be resolved.
Therefore, the falsehood in ones own mind must be purged and tested by the means of
public debate to solve the inner conflict and set the man at peace. 
In James Madison's Federalist # 10 is also familiar with Plato's writings. Madison said,
"As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it,
different opinions will be formed. As long as the connection subsists between his reason
and his self-love, his opinion and his passions will have a reciprocal influence on each
other." This idea connects with the thought that in order to find pure knowledge these
opinions must be brought to public understanding to be tested and debated for their
truthfulness. Madison further states, "No man is allowed to be judge in his own cause;
because his interest will certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his
integrity." Also in my opinion, the man will not have inner peace due to his bias. Thus,
it is important to have a forum to voice these truths that we hold in our mind so as to
have the inner peace we want.
John Mill, in his essay Liberty of Thought and Discussion talks of two hypotheses that
are important in understanding why the act of public debate is necessary for pure
knowledge to be found and have inner peace that is desirous. Mills said, " We can never
be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were
sure, stifling it would be an evil still." , and " While every one well knows himself to
be fallible, few think it necessary to take any precautions against their own
fallibility, or admit the supposition that any opinion, of which they feel very certain,
may be one of the examples of the error to which they acknowledge themselves to be
liable." These passages show that Mills understands the depth of necessary idea of public
debate to prove or disprove pure knowledge. He knows the human mind has it's own truth
and to avoid dangerous outcomes putting this truth to the public will certainly take care
of creating falsehoods in ones own mind. Thus, putting every individual at a higher level
and 
Discovering and retrieving the very most truth from all opinions without burdening the
individual with the chance of falsehoods. Mill's goes on to say that its cowardice to
shrink from ones own opinion because if its your truth that your withholding from
yourself which causes self deceit. Opinions are not something to be taken lightly because
in reality opinions are the substance that pure knowledge is taken from. However, without
the opportunity to test these opinions in public debate the pure knowledge can not be
sifted out. 
Bibliography
Mills, Plato, and Federalist #10