The figure of Plato is one of the most important in our culture for all that he has managed to contribute to us. He is a philosopher of classical Greece, disciple of Socrates, who defended the ideas of his teacher and developed them through his written works in the form of dialogue. He is considered one of the most important thinkers who made the origin of Philosophy possible and who contributed a way of life and thought known as “idealism”, hence the expression of the “platonic love”. In this OneHowTo.com article we will detail who was Plato.
Political and philosophical curiosity
Like most young men of his day, he was disturbed by political ideas of a moment with as many changes as the one he experienced, but after the death of Socrates, he was disappointed. Thus, the love of philosophy and thought of his teacher, and political restlessness led him to develop his own thinking based on philosophical principles to create a political theory that would end the evils of his society.
Influence of Socrates
Like his teacher, Plato developed man-based thinking. I also wanted to find universal keys, valid for all men, to live better. He continued the search for the universal virtue of Socrates through knowledge, a form of knowledge that would lead him to that end, and considered that everything universal must be outside the physical, in the world of universal things or ideas common to all men.
The theory of ideas
Ideas or universals valid for all men, they form a reality that escapes from the physical and imperfect reality that surrounds us. Ours is a reality that dies, disappears, changes and, therefore, cannot be stable and universally valid for all men. He thought that universal ideas should be perfect and that only the human soul, the only thing perfect in man, can get to know them. Men must be educated to develop the capacity for knowledge through the soul.
The philosophy
It is the means, along with other disciplines such as mathematics, music or gymnastics, that man must develop so that his soul reaches the world of ideas. In this way, this man will be a virtuoso. Plato considers that philosophers are the most virtuous men and that, therefore, they are the ones who should govern a country, since they will know the universal tools, what will make happiness in general possible for all men.
The education
For him the education that citizens received was very important, since it would make each one develop their own special gifts to the max. This would allow us to see which people would be suitable to develop each of the functions or jobs necessary for society. Education would allow to recognize those conducive to dedicate themselves to Philosophy and to be able to govern.
If you want to read more articles similar to Who was Plato, we recommend that you enter our category of University Careers.
Advice
- Get to know Socrates first in order to understand Plato’s Philosophy.
- Understand the Philosophy of Parmenides in order to delve into the theory of Platonic ideas.
- Study the socio-political situation that surrounded Plato in order to understand his thinking.