If Turkey were to govern a society similar to the Republic Plato was aiming to create, it would be logical for the Turks not to teach their citizens the vile history of its past. Plato aimed to create a censored community, one that would teach only what's good. Plato writes, "Now, I think that even if these stories are true, they oughtn't to be told so casually to young people and people who lack discrimination; it's better to keep silent..." (47). Plato had flawed, but pure intentions in excluding negative stories in order to create a morally right society. On the other hand, Turkey is wrongfully censoring the horrible truth from its community. Turkey is silencing the truth of the Armenian Genocide for all the wrong reasons. Unlike Plato, Turkey is not aiming to create a society based on virtue and righteousness, Turkey is aiming to blind the world of its unjustifiable misdoing.
Today, a nation based off Plato's Republic can not exist. Turkey can not constantly powder its blushing face. The natural red hue will eventually seep out. Serj Tankian, the lead vocalist of System of a Down, said "Many presidential candidates, before they become presidents, make a statement saying they'll recognize the genocide, however most presidents as they get into office shy away from the responsibility of calling it a genocide..." Whose responsibility is it to tell the truth? Plato holds truth, justice, and virtue on a pedestal, but he himself denies the rightful practice of truth by creating a society based on censorship. Presidents today also try creating a society based on silence. They use the power of rhetoric to persuade the masses in believing in their promises. When rhetoric plays a role in believing what seems to be true, the truth is weightless. At times like this, power outweighs the truth.
Would Plato take the side of Turkey or Armenia? Plato would be on Armenia's side, because Plato is on Truth's side. On the other hand, Plato is all for formulating a society based on concealing what's evil. Turkey is trying to conceal the deliberative killing of the Armenian race. Plato, what is morally more important: Forming a Turkish nation based on lies in order to hide it's horrid mistakes or allowing the world to collaboratively agree on the true events of the Armenian Genocide?
Plato. “From Republic.” The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticsim.
2nd ed. Ed. Vincent B. Leitch. New York, NY, 2010. 41-77. Print.
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