Philosophy

I agree with Plato that a tyrant’s life is a terrible one despite the fact that they have all political authority, as he states in the Republic. This is due to the fact that a tyrant does not have authority over their own life. They do not have any authority over their actions, thoughts, or emotions. They are completely helpless. They do not choose their own fate and cannot change it. This indicates that they are never happy, and since they are unable to find contentment in any other environment, they are destined to one day rule an oppressed population. In addition to this, if they are unable to find pleasure in their lives, they will develop a high level of paranoia and will search for methods to exert control over themselves and others around them. According to Plato, a tyrant never has any happiness in their life, and the reason for this is that they do not have control over their own lives. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that a tyrant would always lead a terrible life, regardless of their material circumstances. Because they do not have control over their lives, they will never be able to experience pleasure in any other setting. In addition to this, they will develop paranoia and search for methods to exert control over everyone in their immediate environment. This is the reason why tyrants are always miserable.

A tyrant is someone who rules over their community with an iron fist and holds absolute power. Because of their authority, they are able to do anything they want without worrying about being held accountable by people below them or being challenged. They are undoubtedly the most powerful person in the community due to the fact that they are able to do anything they want without fear of repercussions. Although having this power can bring a person a great deal of happiness at times, it is also one of the riskiest things a person could possibly possess. According to Plato, even a tyrant who has absolute political power in their community is not able to do whatever they want because they are constantly forced to think about their people and the policies that they want to put into place. This is because of the responsibility that comes along with having such power. Because they are always required to think about the people below them and the effect that their actions have on the community as a whole, they are never able to simply act in accordance with their own whims and desires. Because of this never-ending scrutiny and anxiety, it is very difficult for a tyrant to lead a life that is satisfying. Plato also asserts that they are perpetually surrounded by people who are in a position to thwart and overthrow their rule (Hirji, 1020). This is due to the fact that it is always expected of a tyrant to do what is best for their community, even if it means making decisions that are not necessarily in the best interest of the individual. A tyrant is not free to act however they please because they are constantly under scrutiny and cannot act without considering how others will respond to their actions. Because of all of these factors, tyrants have the least amount of power to get what they want done. In addition, a tyrant is always expected to do what is best for their community, which frequently means making decisions that may not be in their best interest. This is an additional responsibility that comes with the territory of being a tyrant. Because of this constant pressure to make the right choices, which can be difficult and frustrating, many tyrants end up being miserable in their rule of their subjects.

According to Plato, being unable to do what you want is the root of misery because it hinders a person from behaving in a manner that is in keeping with their nature. To put it another way, it’s a lack of satisfaction in one’s life. The conclusion reached by following this line of reasoning is that dictators must inevitably be unhappy since they are unable to achieve what they desire. For example, they may not be able to behave in line with the wishes of their own nature, which prevents them from realizing their full potential as individuals. This implies that they are unable to live a life that is satisfying and that they are instead compelled to hold a position of authority, in which they are subject to persistent scrutiny. In addition to this, it may also lead to a person’s potential being inhibited to the point where they cannot be realized. This is an objection to the line of reasoning used by Plato, which arrives at the conclusion that tyrants must inevitably be unhappy. If a person possesses unchecked political authority, they will be able to pursue whatever goals they choose for themselves. This indicates that they will be able to live a life that is satisfying and live up to their potential as a result. However, due of the continual scrutiny that they are subjected to, it is probable that they will not be able to accomplish their goal. This scrutiny may cause them to be unable to fulfill their own nature, which can also cause them to be unable to do their work in an adequate manner. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that having the ability to accomplish what you want may lead to misery since it does not ensure a life that is satisfying or a successful profession.

In conclusion, one of the notions that contributes to this line of reasoning that concludes that tyrants are inherently sad is the notion that they do not have the capacity to achieve what it is that they desire. This is because a tyrant is required to have an acute awareness of the individuals in their immediate environment as well as the potential repercussions of the activities they do at all times. They may experience unhappiness as a result of their persistent concern and anxiety. As a direct consequence of this, individuals are unable to find calm or relaxation and are always on edge. This ongoing state of stress and anxiety has been linked to a variety of health issues, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and sleeplessness, to name a few. In addition to that, it may also result in clinical depression as well as other psychological issues. According to Plato, sadness results from a lack of control over one’s life and one’s inability to pursue one’s own goals.

Works Cited

Hirji, Sukaina. “Acting virtuously as an end in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.” British Journal for the History of Philosophy 26.6 (2018): 1006-1026. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09608788.2018.1454296