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 h...
