Which philosopher advocated for the selection of spouses to produce ethically eminent personalities?

• A. Lucretius
• B. Aristotle
• C. Plato
• D. Pythagoras

Answer: (C)

Plato is the philosopher who advocated for the selection of spouses to produce ethically eminent personalities. This concept is particularly evident in his work "The Republic," where he discusses the idea of eugenics, a philosophical viewpoint on breeding for better traits. In this context, he argues that the guardians of the state should be carefully paired in marriage, with the aim of producing offspring who would embody the virtues necessary for the ideal society. Plato believed that by controlling the breeding of individuals, it would be possible to enhance the moral and intellectual quality of future generations.

His emphasis on the importance of selecting mates based on qualities that would contribute to the overall goodness of society underscores his philosophical approach to ethics and the role of individuals within a community. In essence, Plato's ideas reflect a merger of ethics with empirical observation, where he sought to apply rational thought to social structures, including family and reproduction.