Plethon's conception of justice and law

Abstract

The brief analysis and presentation of Plethon's conception of justice and law, including his philosophy of man as an individual as well as social and political being, shows clearly enough his hierarchical conception of the cosmos. He conceived deities and beings, man and the sensible world, the city-state and the body-polity, as hierarchically arranged. He preserved the names of deities of ancient Greece on nationalistic grounds. Thus he hoped to revive Hellenism and reinstate Plato by making his system of philosophy a living reality, a way of life. Men, whether as individuals or social and political beings, strive to achieve a true and happy life. The achievement of a happy life presupposes and depends on their imitation of, and association with the divinities. This association is possible through their immortal part which is ultimately rooted in the supreme Being. The association enables men to assimilate themselves to divinities and model their lives in accordance with the ideas and principles. Only when men share a common life similar to that of higher beings do they become agathoi citizens, just, virtuous and happy.