Islamic Law

Islamic Law

Law and Legislation in Plato's Philosophy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ali Larijani 1
Ghasem Babaei 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Tehran
2 Doctoral student in the philosophy of law
10.22034/ilaw.2026.2053677.3573
Abstract
This article seeks to answer the jurisprudential-philosophical question of what the nature and components of law and legislation are in Plato's intellectual system. In other words, what are the essential and accidental elements of law from Plato's perspective?

Answering this question requires attention to two aspects of law: the concept of law and the identification of its essential and accidental components. The concept of law in Plato's system of thought is determined based on his eudaimonistic (happiness-centered) approach, such that law is considered the command of reason for the attainment of virtue.

The components and elements of law in Plato's thought are divided into two categories: essential and accidental. Among the essential components are rationality, justice, simplicity of the law, avoidance of legal inflation, and rational justification of the law. On the other hand, the accidental components, which pertain to legislation, include purification of society, rulers’ commitment to obey the law, the obligation to educate about the law, the gradual evolution of law, and the establishment of peace and tranquility.
Keywords
Plato
Law
Essential elements
Accidental elements
Justice
Rationality
Goals
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Islamic Law
Volume 22, Issue 87
Autumn 2026
Pages 5-35