<P> Plato defined a philosopher firstly as its eponymous occupation : `` wisdom - lover '' . He then distinguishes between one who loves true knowledge ( as opposed to mere experience or education ) by saying that the philosopher is the only person who has access to ideas -- the archetypal entities that exist behind all representations of the form ( such as Beauty itself as opposed to any one particular instance of beauty ) . It is next and in support of the idea that philosophers are the best rulers that Plato fashions the Ship of State metaphor , one of his most often cited ideas ( along with his allegory of the cave ) : a `` true pilot must of necessity pay attention to the seasons , the heavens , the stars , the winds , and everything proper to the craft if he is really to rule a ship '' ( The Republic , 6.488 d ) . </P>
<P> Plato defined a philosopher firstly as its eponymous occupation : `` wisdom - lover '' . He then distinguishes between one who loves true knowledge ( as opposed to mere experience or education ) by saying that the philosopher is the only person who has access to ideas -- the archetypal entities that exist behind all representations of the form ( such as Beauty itself as opposed to any one particular instance of beauty ) . It is next and in support of the idea that philosophers are the best rulers that Plato fashions the Ship of State metaphor , one of his most often cited ideas ( along with his allegory of the cave ) : a `` true pilot must of necessity pay attention to the seasons , the heavens , the stars , the winds , and everything proper to the craft if he is really to rule a ship '' ( The Republic , 6.488 d ) . </P>
who believed that a government should be run by philosopher kings
who believed that a government should be run by philosopher kings
Plato
Plato