It may well seem that Plato does suggest techne [knowledge of a
determinate field that could be mastered by "the expert"] is the best
model for moral knowledge. In other words, it may seem that his goal is
to establish an expert or authority in the field of the good-bad,
just-unjust. Many scholars think this ideal is embodied in the famous
"philosopher-rulers" of the Republic. I think these scholars are all
wrong.
Human life cannot be mastered by an expert. It can surely be enhanced
by thought, but it cannot be successfully engineered. In us there are
too many powerful forces and desires, too much variability, contingency
and sheer madness.
-- David
Roochnik interviewed by Richard Marshall.
"
Arcadian Wisdom"
3:am Magazine (June 10th, 2017).