A Trinity of Trinities in Plato’s "Republic"

In reading Plato’s Republic, it is abundantly obvious that Plato found some value and balance in presenting complex concepts and explanations in tripartite formats. From the soul to states themselves, trinities[1] are everywhere in the Republic. The three strongest trinities within the Republic revolve around individuals (souls), societies (cultures/groups), and states (governments). Each serves as a metaphor for the other and together forms a grand trinity of the whole, serving to provide understanding about human nature and the nature and purpose of humans, societies and states.

Critical Response: "The Watchmen"

In Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s “The Watchmen,” there are multiple themes and narrative arcs touching on a large number of societal ills, ethical and moral issues, and political issues. The most compelling of the many themes, the ethics of scientific and technological advances, is simply expressed through the use of graffiti: “Who Watches the Watchmen?” This tag line is on multiple pages, but does not refer to just “watchmen” – the “protectors” – but also to those in power and especially, those who create. Moore uses scientific and technological advances – some real, some fictional – to question not only the need for these advances, but the ethics of them. The ethical issues revolving around some scientific advances are obvious, such as the atomic bomb, but other seemingly innocuous advances also have negative repercussions. Through the use of his characters, especially the God-like Jon (aka Dr. Manhattan), Moore brings to bear the idea that there must be some sort of ethical oversight brought into play on scientific and technological creators. Someone – ultimately meaning everyone – needs to question not only the need for our continuing fast-paced scientific advance, but oversee the use of such advances. It is not good enough to just create for the sake of creating; there must be questions asked before creating as to the good and bad of such creation.

Scientific advances in “The Watchmen” created Jon, a being with God-like powers and vision. Jon did not ask to become God-like, nor was he necessarily comfortable with his powers, yet once he had them, he would use them or not as only he saw fit. There was no control or power over Jon, no one to oversee him, no panel or government that could manage the use or misuse of this created being, Jon. No one “watched” the scientists when they created the device that ultimately created Jon, and no one “watched” the creation from this device. In the end, Jon decides that he may create life – human life – himself in another galaxy. No one questions even this decision.

When Moore asks “Who Watches the Watchmen,” he refers not just to police-like authorities, political or scientific powers, he also refers to God him/herself. Ultimately, Moore is asking, “Who Watches God.”

Written for Professor Campbell’s Religion & Pop Culture class at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, 13^th March 2006.