Clitophon (Athenian)

Clitophon (Greek Κλειτοφῶν Clitophon ), the son of Aristonymus, an Athenian politician of the late 5th century BC was He belonged to the moderate oligarchic direction and played a role in the preparation of the oligarchic constitutional amendment of the year 411 BC

Political activity

The operating Kleitophons in the politics of his hometown is the first time BC (probably early May) testified in the year 411. He participated in the oligarchic opposition movement, which aimed at the destruction of democracy. In the People's Assembly, he supported the request of the oligarchic politician Pythodoros to form a committee, which should work out a concept for a reform of the state system. Clitophon put the amendment to the amendment, the Committee should examine to what extent one could fall back on the Cleisthenes reforms of the late 6th century BC. The reforms of Cleisthenes had indeed then brought a democratization, but after Kleitophons view the kleisthenische Athenian constitution was not radically democratic and therefore offered for moderate Democrats and moderate oligarchs as a compromise solution. Clitophon did not advocate the total abolition of democracy, but only looked at the then existing radical democracy as an aberration that should be corrected by restoring previous conditions. The influence of the masses should be pushed back in favor of an oligarchic elite. What Kleitophons application in the People's Assembly actually aimed, whether he actually he intended or represented only a propaganda maneuver to appease the Democrats, is controversial in research. Presumably the reference to Cleisthenes should aim that the new constitution, the traditional focus of Athens considered, ie not led to extreme oligarchy, but democratic elements preserved.

The proposal to form the committee, was adopted by the National Assembly. Kleitophons excitation, however, had no consequences for the further progress of events, the Committee did not consider it.

Within the oligarchic movement Clitophon counted to a moderate direction, the main one was Theramenes. This direction did not want all the power of a very small group trust, but wanted a relatively broad support for the desired oligarchic rule. Kleitophons position was more moderate than that of Theramenes. In the negotiations on a new constitution after the surrender of Athens in the Peloponnesian War in 404, he was one with Archinus, Anytus and Phormisios to a circle, which advocated a combination of democratic and oligarchic elements and this promoted as a return to previous conditions. On the rule of the Thirty, the exercise of power of a small, dominated by radical oligarchs group from summer 404, Clitophon was not involved as opposed to Theramenes.

Literary reception

Clitophon was philosophically interested. He stood near the sophistic education movement, as listed from a location in Aristophanes ' comedy The Frogs in 405 is opened. There he led together with Theramenes as an example of a shrewd pragmatist. The identity of the oligarchic politician Clitophon with the same caller in two fictional literary dialogues on philosophical themes is generally accepted in the research.

In Plato's dialogue Politeia Clitophon occurs as adversaries of Socrates. He takes the floor briefly and supports the position that has previously stated the sophist Thrasymachus. Thrasymachus ' opinion, the counter-position to the concept of justice of Socrates dar. Clitophon represents a fairly consistent positivist conception. He is still in schrofferem contrast to Socrates as Thrasymachus, who does not pick up his argument. For Clitophon justice consists in the fact that the weaker one has to follow the will of the stronger, so that is realized, which is to the advantage of the stronger. In this case, the stronger sets, which is advantageous for him. What is relevant is what he considers to be advantageous; it is not to distinguish between beneficial for a held and the really Beneficial.

In the other Clitophon dialogue is itself the title role. The Clitophon dialogue is handed down among the works of Plato, but its authenticity is controversial and rejected by most classical scholars. The Clitophon is a conversation between Socrates and Clitophon again. Here Clitophon appears as a dissatisfied disciple of Socrates, his teacher the reason explained from which he wants to leave him and join Thrasymachus. Since Thrasymachus was known as a strong opponent of the Socratic philosophy, it is a snub of Socrates. At the beginning of the dialogue is reported that Clitophon with Lysias had him handling and presented his critique of Socrates.

Plutarch mentions in his article "On the luck or the valor of Alexander ( the Great) " Critias, Alcibiades and Clitophon as examples of student of Socrates, who turned away from the teachings and smashing a completely different direction.