Marek Piechowiak

Bio

Marek Piechowiak is a Professor of Law and holds a habilitation (higher doctorate) in the humanities, having earned his degrees at the Catholic University of Lublin. His philosophical research focuses on the works of Plato and Thomas Aquinas, which he examines as vital sources for understanding the foundations of contemporary law—particularly human rights, human dignity, and justice. His legal scholarship primarily centers on the axiology of the Polish Constitution, as well as the constitutional and international protection of human rights. Since November 2024, he has been on the list of ad hoc judges at the European Court of Human Rights, representing the Republic of Poland.

Abstract

The "three waves" in Book V of Plato’s Republic symbolize three arguments concerning the foundational principles of an "ideal" state: (1) women should share the same occupations as men; (2) wives, children, and goods should be held in common among the ruling class; and (3) philosophers should rule.

My hypothesis is that the narrative of the three waves should not be read as an exercise in the dialectical discovery of truth, much less as a purely political blueprint. Instead, it serves as a test of character for Socrates’ listeners—specifically, of their courage as Plato conceptualizes it. It tests whether they can preserve their rational convictions "through everything," refusing to abandon them in the face of pleasure, pain, desire, or fear. Thus, the focus shifts from a theoretical exercise to the practical, moral activity of the listeners (and readers). If correct, this hypothesis will offer a radically new reading of this famous narrative.

To test this hypothesis, I will analyze Socrates’ audience, examining not only who the interlocutors are but also how they behave and react to his presentation. Furthermore, and most importantly, I will analyze the literary context Plato constructs for this narrative. A prelude can already be found in Book IV, where Socrates describes the vital regulations imposed upon the guardians. Like all of Socrates' narratives in the Republic, this section features an introduction, which here is exceptionally long. A particularly compelling element of this narrative is the mention of a dolphin as a hope for rescue from the waves. Juxtaposing the narrative of the three waves with Herodotus’ tale of Arion and the dolphin proves highly illuminating, as do the conclusions Socrates draws when referencing the sea god Glaucus in Book X. Water as a symbol of purification appears to underlie the entirety of Plato’s narrative.

This project continues my previous research on Plato. In 2019, I published an extensive monograph, Plato’s Conception of Justice and the Question of Human Dignity (Peter Lang: Berlin), which was released in a second, revised, and expanded edition in 2021.