What is the topic?

Preliminary Outline

What is the topic?

The topic is: Is the American Dream a modern-day version of Plato's Noble Lie?

Why is this topic significant?

My topic matters because the American Dream, which promotes social mobility and equal opportunity, is a firm belief to most Americans that one can live a prosperous life with hard work and perseverance. Yet, this dream seems to be a myth to those who have exercised such hard work and have yet to experience the prosperous side of the dream, as social, economic, and educational inequalities prevent them from experiencing such. Yet, others still believe in this dream while most suffer from opportunity deficiency, which leads me to ask whether the American Dream is a dream for all or for the selected few. This question made me believe that the dream is for a selected few, not for all, because only a handful of people are living the dream while the majority are still looking for its reality. The American Dream shapes American identity and motivates individuals but masks systemic inequalities. Therefore, The American Dream is a modern version of Plato's Noble Lie.

This topic can contribute to the way scholars and the public understand or will probably understand the American Dream. After this project's completion, scholars and the public will have new lights that will resonate with them and bring new perspectives on why the American Dream has to be a reality for all rather than a selected few. Understanding this dynamic or narrative can contribute to critical discussions on social justice, economic inequality, and the realities of meritocracy. In addition, this research will enable me to examine the gap between ideals and lived experiences, which profoundly affects social policy, mobility, and perceptions of success in the U.S.

Background: The assumption that I made going into this project is blindfolded. An idea(American Dream) I believe to be a reality is that one can become whatever one wants to become in America. While this could be true, I forsook the systemic bias that could impede such aspiration from someone who would also like to become the best version of him or herself and just believed straight in without any deep thoughts.

I will introduce the concept of the American Dream and its historical significance in American culture by showing how it has evolved and its implications for individual and societal values. Key background material includes Platos concept of the Noble Lie from The Republic, which justifies social hierarchy for the benefit of societal stability. However, this contrasts with the American Dream, which emphasizes meritocracy and equal opportunity. The terms and definitions that I will use are as follows: Plato's Noble Lie, American Dream, Systemic, Social, and Economic Inequality, and Social Growth or Mobility.

Thesis Statement: The American Dream is a modern version of Plato's Noble Lie.

I). Defining the Noble Lie

Premise 1: I will explain the Noble Lie's philosophical concept, as Plato articulated, and its relevance in contemporary society.

Counterargument: Present criticisms of the Noble Lie, including arguments that it can perpetuate falsehoods and hinder genuine progress.

II). Historical Context of the American Dream

Premise 2: Trace the origins of the American Dream from its roots in the Declaration of Independence to its evolution throughout American history.

Counterargument: Address historical instances when the American Dream was not accessible to all, such as during periods of racial segregation and economic disparity.

III). The American Dream in Contemporary Society

Premise 3: Analyze how the American Dream is portrayed in modern media, literature, and popular culture as a universal aspiration.

Counterargument: Examine how this portrayal often overlooks systemic barriers such as income inequality, racial discrimination, and lack of access to education.

IV). Systemic Inequalities and Barriers to Achieving the American Dream

Premise 4: Discuss specific systemic issues that challenge the attainability of the American Dream for marginalized groups:

Economic disparities

Educational inequities

Racial and ethnic discrimination

Counterargument: Explore arguments that suggest individual effort and meritocracy can still lead to success despite these barriers.

V). Case Studies Illustrating the Noble Lie

Premise: Present case studies or examples that illustrate how belief in the American Dream can lead individuals to overlook or minimize systemic issues.

Success stories that ignore underlying privileges.

Personal narratives that reflect resilience but also highlight structural obstacles.

Counterargument: Acknowledge counter-narratives that emphasize personal agency and success against the odds.

VI). The Impact of Believing in the Noble Lie

Premise: Analyze how adherence to the American Dream as a Noble Lie affects public policy, societal attitudes, and individual behavior.

Counterargument: Discuss potential benefits of maintaining belief in aspirational ideals for motivation and social cohesion.

VII). Conclusion

The American Dream functions as a Noble Lie by promoting an idealized vision that masks systemic inequalities. Reflect on implications for future discourse around equality, opportunity, and social justice in America. This outline integrates key sources from my annotated bibliography, which I will use to support each section of my paper. As they will help provides a structured approach to discussing how the American Dream exemplifies a Noble Lie within contemporary society.

References

Andrew, Edward. EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AS THE NOBLE LIE. History of Political Thought 10, no. 4 (1989): 57795. DOI: 10.1080/01436598908419212

Aughey, Arthur. The Noble Lie of Politics. Fortnight, no. 397 (2001): 1415. DOI: 10.2307/25560325

Dombrowski, D. PLATOS NOBLE LIE. History of Political Thought 18, no. 4 (1997): 56578. DOI: 10.1080/01436599708419262

Ehrenreich, Barbara. Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream. New York: Metropolitan Books, 2005. ISBN: 978-0805076450

Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. New York: Metropolitan Books, 2001. ISBN: 978-0805080518

Hochschild, A. R. (2016). The American Dream and the Politics of Resentment: The New Populism.