Research Paper on Plato Essay

Abstract Many Philosophers make a contrast in society but Plato is perhaps recognized as the virtually famous. His writings have had a profound effect on people, politics, and the philosophy throughout the centuries. He was a public figure and he made major contributions to society. Plato helped to lay the philosophic foundations of modern culture through his ideas and writings. unitary of the most philosophical thinkers of westbound civilization, Plato is the only author from antediluvian Greek times whose writings survive intact. His collection consists of thirty-five dialogues and thirteen letters, though the authorship of some is contested.Plato was born in Athens, into a prosperous gamey family. His Fathers name was Ariston and his Mothers name was Pericti one. His carnal knowledge named Glaucon was one of the best-known members of the Athenian nobility. Platos name was Aristocles, his nickname Plato originates from hand-to-hand struggle circles, Plato ungenerouss broad, and it probably refers either to his physical appearance or his grappling iron style. Plato is, by any reckoning, one of the most dazzling writers in the Western literary tradition and one of the most penetrating, wide-ranging, and prestigious authors in the bill of philosophy, (Kraut, 2009).Plato was born during the Golden Age of Athenss which saw the hold of classical architecture, drama, arts and politics. However, as he was growing up he observed the decline of Athens as a cultural center. He witnessed instances of cruelty, disloyalty, and dishonesty and it was in clear violation of his values. It was overly during this time that Plato wing under the square off of Socrates, who engaged the people of Athens in philosophical discussions. It was into this bright, sly, worldly atmosphere that Socrates appe atomic number 18d, moving questioningly about the streets of Athens.(Plato 1984). In 339 Socrates was brought to trial and charged with having false Gods and corrupt ing the youth. Socrates was found guilty on the charge and was sentenced to death. The execution of Socrates weighed heavily on Plato and he turned external from politics, he suasion the behavior of the courts was un retributory. He decided non to suck involved in political life, instead he decided to deviate Athens with other friends of Socrates to travel and study. During his travels he met with all kinds of people and examine non only philosophy but geometry, astronomy, and religious teachings.Socrates was extremely influential to Plato and he was the main vulcanized fiber in numerous writings, he was also influenced by Heraclitus, Parmenides, and the Pythagoreans. One of the most substantial goals Plato set for himself was to keep the memory of Socrates alive by recording and bringing about the kind of feign that Socrates had on people. Nearly all of Platos realise takes the structure of dialogues in which Socrates is usually the main character. One of the goals of a Platos dialogue is to concern the reader in philosophical questions related to the ideas being discussed.The Socrates of the Platonic dialogues is sculpturesque after the real Socrates but it is in part an imaginary character used to throw Platonic themes. Platos dialogues are divided into 3 groups, the early or Socratic dialogues the dialogues of middle age and the dialogues of old age. In the early dialogues, Socrates is the main character, but it is generally believed that Plato is expressing his own views. These are the only remaining dialogues of Socrates teachings hence they are referred to as the Socratic dialogues. In The defense Socrates was accused of having false gods and corrupting the youth.While on trial Socrates claimed that he was innocent and was non at all wise, Men of Athens, I awarding and love you but I shall obey God rather than you, and dapple I have life and strength I shall never fire from the practice and teaching of philosophy Understand that I sh all never convert my ways, not even if I have to die many times. (Plato 1984). lay Dialogues During Platos middle period he wrote the following, Meno, Republic, Euthydemus, Menexenus, Cratylus, Phaedrus, Symposium and Phaedo. The most important remainder between these writings and his earlier encounters is that he is establishing his own enunciate in philosophy.In the Meno Plato introduces us to the Socratic idea that no one knowingly does wrong, Virtue is the desire of social functions honourable and the power of attaining them. Plato (1984). In the Phaedo we survive familiar with the platonic doctrine of the Forms this is where Plato makes a claim as to the immortality of the soul. Platos most influential work, The Republic, is part of the middle dialogues. It is a discussion of the virtues of justice, bravery and wisdom. It addresses the question of how do benignants approach living a dependable life. The dialogue finishes by looking at various forms of government and describing the idealistic pass on.The allegory of the Myth of the Cave is also in The Republic it is an important writing because it contains the main points of his philosophy. It is intended to be a metaphor for teaching and it explains issues regarding the theory of knowledge. Plato believed one must explore the belief that a greater reality exists. It is through this belief that a person can get hold of greater insight into true reality and be sire enlightened. Without it we are akin the prisoners of a cave who only see the shadows of objects and live in pure(a) darkness. And now, I said, let me show in a figure how off the beaten track(predicate) our nature is enlightened or unenlightened, beholdHuman beings living in an underground den (Plato 1927). It is only through philosophy that we can come out of the cave into the true world. Who is best conform to to rule the state lovers of opinion or true philosophers? (Plato 1927) His final years at the honorary society he w rote the later dialogues which included the Parmenides, Theatetus, Sophist, Statesmas, Timaeus, Critias, Philebus, and Laws. It should be noted that Socrates has a meek role in these writings. Plato examines his metaphysical theories through these dialogues. He discusses art, dance, music, poetry, drama, and ethics in connection to immortality and the mind.He also dedicates himself to the philosophy of mathematics, politics and religion. Plato argued that women were qualified to fulfil a role in politics and philosophy. In The Republic, Socrates argued that women were as capable as men in pursuit of accomplishments. There is a lead that women should be educated for their roles in the class of guardians and possibly work beside to men. A womans role could be remarkable in society, but different from a mans role. Even though Plato believed that women were necessary in a working society, he did not mean he thought women were equals of men.Plato thought that women lacked the stren gth of men and that women were more suited for other responsibilities in life. If women are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same things. (Plato 1927) The impact of Platos work cannot be measured or calculated. His writings had great influence on the entire intellectual development of Western civilization. Despite the fact that Plato did not leave a well-formed, rigid philosophical system he is considered the flummox for all forms of philosophical idealism and dualism.The object of education is to teach us to love what is beautiful. (Plato 1984). After he died the Academy continued until AD 529, when it was closed(a) due to its pagan teachings. Neo-Platonism, founded by the 3rd- carbon philosopher Plotinus, was an important development of Platonism. It was a philosophical system which was as a combination of Platonic, Pythagorean, and Aristotelian elements. Originally it was contend to Christianity but later on it integrated it. It dominated European thought until the 13th century and re-emerged during the Renaissance.The most important Renaissance Neo-Platonist was Marsilio Ficino who certain significant ideas from Plato and Neo-Platonism. Ficino founded of the Academy in Firenze and was responsible for the circulation of Neo-Platonic ideas. Ficino is credited with translating all of Platos dialogues into Latin and produced a great work called Platonic Theology, in which he outlines Neo-Platonism. His philosophy is base on the doctrine that the human soul is the center of the cosmos. It is the only thing that sits between the world of ideas and the world is the soul.Neo-Platonism was revived in the 17th century by the Cambridge Platonists such as Cudworth and Smith. The school stressed the importance of reason, maintaining that conviction and reason are not that different. Rene Descartes an 18th century philosopher and Neo-Platonist developed a method to achieve truths. If something is not recognized by the intellect or reas on can be classified as knowledge. According to Descartes. These truths are gained without any sensory experience (Descartes). He argued that as a exit of his method, reason alone determined knowledge and that this could be done severally of the senses.Cogito ergo sum, I think therefore I exist (Descartes) Plato developed an absolutist ethical theory which is that there is a greater right(a) toward which to aspire. He developed this theory to respond to the skepticism and the beliefs of the Sophists who Plato felt did not preach wisdom, but rather their opinions. Plato tried to protect the part of argument in human life though he had resistance from the ancient Greek preachers know as the Sophists. They came from different cities and proclaimed that they were able to impart knowledge to young men how to live prosperous lives.Even though the Sophists did not belong to a school and did not have a common creed, some opinions were typical of them as a group and were perfectly confli cting to the views of Plato. The Sophists were great communicators and skilled public speakers. Plato felt that the Sophists were more likely to appeal to emotions rather than to reason. According to Plato philosophers influence peoples souls not their bodies and Plato agreed with Socrates in thinking that the nurturing of the soul is more vital than the nurturing of the body.Furthermore, he also believed that true leaders need to have wisdom, and knowledge. Platos influence has been monumental as one philosopher said the history of philosophy is simply a series of footnotes to Plato. (Whitehead) Platos has been criticized down through the centuries for his philosophy of the forms. His ideas of the just life and an ideal state are complex. Plato tended to specifically ignores much of human nature. Plato did not think in the realm of the physical world, he was eternally looking to a different one where things exist only if he can prove there existence.References Kraut, R. (2009, S ept) Plato Stanford cyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/plato Plato. (1984) Great dialogues of Plato New York wise man Books trans. by Benjamin Jowett Blackburn, S. (1945) The republic of Plato. (45 ed. ). London Oxford University Press, USA. trans. By Desmond Lee Descartes. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/descartes-works Alfred North Whitehead. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/whitehead/