Zur πειθώ des Gesetzgebers in PlatonsNomoi

Abstract

In his last work, the Nomoi, Plato outlines the rule of the law as the best possible politeia of human coexistence. This rule particularly requires the convincing speech of the legislator: The actual validity of the law does not depend solely on whether it is itself good, but also crucially on whether the citizens, out of inner conviction, accept it as good and therefore obey it. Stronger than the law, which only enforces compliance with it and threatens to punish any violations, is the law, the meaning and benefits of which the legislator justifies credibly and convincingly to all citizens in his (written) legislation.