(in the political theory of Plato) a member of a ruling elite who seeks to apply philosophy in the exercise of power.
Example sentencesExamples
Scientific method was purported to be pure; its aim was to find abstract, universal truths ‘out there’ that could be brought back to enlighten the masses, like the philosopher king who returns to Plato's cave.
As our first systematic fascist, Plato wished education to produce philosopher kings.
Henry was a great philosopher king, a student of Greek, Jewish and Arab learning.
Abraham, the first hero of biblical myth, is the image of Plato's philosopher king - a powerful force in affairs of state whose major passion is for truth.
‘Justice’ has been a monumental puzzle since Plato's Republic, which labors through ten long books to define it - and then it turns out that only philosopher kings could administer a just state.
Definition of philosopher king in US English:
philosopher king
noun
(in the political theory of Plato) a member of a ruling elite who seeks to apply philosophy in the exercise of power.
Example sentencesExamples
Abraham, the first hero of biblical myth, is the image of Plato's philosopher king - a powerful force in affairs of state whose major passion is for truth.
As our first systematic fascist, Plato wished education to produce philosopher kings.
Scientific method was purported to be pure; its aim was to find abstract, universal truths ‘out there’ that could be brought back to enlighten the masses, like the philosopher king who returns to Plato's cave.
‘Justice’ has been a monumental puzzle since Plato's Republic, which labors through ten long books to define it - and then it turns out that only philosopher kings could administer a just state.
Henry was a great philosopher king, a student of Greek, Jewish and Arab learning.