Plato Was An Ancient Greek Philosopher Essay

"Unless," I said, "the philosophers rule as kings or those now called kings and chiefs genuinely and adequately philosophize, and political power and philosophy coincide in the same place, while the many natures now making their way to either apart from the other are by necessity excluded, there is no rest from ills for the cities, my dear Glaucon, nor I think for human kind, nor will the regime we have now described in speech ever come forth from nature, insofar as possible, and see the light of the sun."(THE REPUBLIC OF PLATO By Allan B- 473d - 473e)

Following events, which went on to take place further, established his dislike for the government form, thus resulting his propositions of a Utopia in The Republic. At a young age, Plato began to follow the great philosopher Socrates, which instilled his ultimate desire to pursue philosophy, rather than his destined profession in politics. Plato had grown close to Socrates and his teachings; this close connection was a cause to Plato’s finalizing opinions of Democracy. In 399 BCE Socrates was executed by the newly leading Democratic leaders of Athens, and was voted by a majority to be put to death. Plato turned in disgust from contemporary Athenian politics afterwards and went on to be the founder of the Academy; a gathering place, which one could consider a school, that housed great scholars and their revolutionizing thoughts on Mathematics, Philosophy, and Theoretical Astronomy. Due to the events of Plato’s life, he was able to develop the most profound and employed ideas associated with western civilization. His influence had such great impact that his principles are often used in modern-day establishments, from government forms, to fundamentals pertaining to philosophy, the impacts of socialization, as well as religion. To begin an analysis of principles, there must be an understanding of human nature and his personal thoughts regarding the topic, in having that basis of knowledge one could further understand how the basic

Plato was a philosopher who was born in Athens (470-390 BCE), and was also a student of Socrates. He felt that intelligence and one’s perception belonged to completely independent realms or realities. He believed that general concepts of knowledge were predestined, or placed in the soul before birth even occurred in living things. Plato believed that the cosmos was intelligible, and the the universe was mathematically understandable. He believes that mathematical objects could be seen as perfect forms. Forms, a doctoral of Plato, can be understood as an everyday object or idea, which does not, exists in the everyday realm, but merely is existent in the hypothetical realm or reality.

Political and social theories between the two philosophers were very different. Plato had very Totalitarian or even communist views for state government. He in his novel The Republic, he describes in much detail his utopian society. He felt society should be organized into three groups: “rulers, auxiliaries and labourers.”(Gaarder 91) The rulers or guardian class would have reason; education and intelligence this would make them well suited for leadership. Plato called these rulers ‘Philosopher Kings’, they would rule for the good of all in the society. Philosopher

Biographical information: Plato was one of the earliest ancient Greek philosophers who lived from 427 to 347 B.C. He was a student of Socrates, who was also a prominent Greek philosopher at that time. Socrates had a massive influence on Plato, who called him “the most upright man of that day” (The Seventh Letter). Plato adopted his philosophy and dedicated his studies to formation of a noble character. Born in Athens to a family of aristocrats, Plato attained an exceptional education, most likely taught by notable educators such as Pythagoras and Parmenides.

Socrates was a thinker of ancient Greece, and someone whose wisdom had become a popular topic of discussion and conflict while he was alive. As Socrates was growing up, the government of Athens had been trying to instill and utilize a working democratic system in which the people of Athens had a voice in the assemblies. Although this “voice” was granted to some, not everyone was able to have a say. Socrates was accused of being impious toward the Gods of Athens, trying to corrupt and bring down the governmental system, and corrupting the minds of the youths.

But after Athens lost her empire by losing the Peloponnesian War and had undergone two oligarchic reigns of terror at the hands of the gilded, Socratified rich kids, her patience with Socrates ended. Socrates was charged in 399 B.C. with "impiety against the gods of the city" and with "corrupting the young." He was guilty on all counts. Socrates' basic premise of government -- according to Xenophon's "Memorabilia" -- was "that it is the business of the ruler to give orders and of the ruled to obey." So the ruler should have total, unaccounted power. The second charge against Socrates, that he had corrupted the youth of Athens, was even more damning. The foremost examples of the gilded youth he led astray was Alcibiades and Critias, although Socrates' effect on the rich young aristocratic fops was already mentioned in Aristophanes' "The Birds," written in 414 B.C., fifteen years before he was called to account: Why, till ye built this city in the air, _____ line 1280 All men had gone Laconian-mad; they went __ [Spartan-mad] Long-haired, half-starved, unwashed, Socratified, With scytales in their hands; but Oh the change! They are all bird-mad now, and imitate ____ line 1284 Alcibiades was Socrates' favorite pupil. Socrates saved his life on a battlefield. But the lesson Alcibiades learned from Socrates was that the rulers have no duty to their country; that their

In these sessions, I have gained a better understanding of Aristotle and Plato’s ideas and theories. Particularly, I have a specific interest in Aristotle and the notion of the two extremes and to aim towards the “gray or middle of the road”. I also have an interest in Plato’s theory regarding the just and unjust and the repercussions of their actions.

Plato continually attempted to enter the world of politics, but after being let down time after time and seeing the execution of his beloved mentor Socrates, Plato criticized the regime of his time (Athenian democracy). He sought to draft his own representation of the ideal constitution, outlined and explained in his work Republic. Plato’s critique of democracy is expected since democracy embodies the opposite of his ideal regime: A government controlled and ruled by the uneducated masses that easily slips into chaos and tyranny. According to Plato, democracy cannot function efficiently due to its unnatural, weak leaders, disordered functionality, and its appetitive citizens. He defines his conception of democracy through its deviation

Socrates took great issue with the state of politics in Athens, going so far as to say that he is “one of a few Athenians—so as not to say I’m the only one, but the only one among our contemporaries—to take up the true political craft and practice the true politics”. Further, he claims that unlike politicians, he does “not aim at gratification but at what’s best”. Socrates’ unwavering devotion to justice and questioning within the private sphere and openness to talking with anyone make him a unique politician because he can purify politics in Athens while avoiding the pitfalls of the public sphere, although his “true politics” does have limitations. To illustrate this I will show that: (1) despite not being in the assembly, Socrates practices a form of politics because he interacts with a large swath of the Athenian population; (2) He views good politics as fighting injustice, which his “true politics” allows him to do more effectively than his contemporaries in the assembly; (3) An unwavering commitment to justice in the manner of Socrates is difficult to maintain in a democracy (as is implied by (2)); (4) His practice of politics is imperfect because he performs some of the same actions he condemns politicians for.

After the war, Plato joined the Athenian politics, but shortly left because Socrates, Plato 's mentor, was accused of not recognizing the “gods of the state” and sentenced to death (Plato-Biography, egs.edu). Shortly after, Plato left Athens and traveled the world learning and teaching (Plato-Biography, egs.edu). In 387

Plato (428-7 B.C.E - 348-7 B.C.E) was a well-known ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Socartes, teacher of Aristotle, and founder of the Academy. Plato came from one of the wealthiest and most politically involved families in all of Athens. His mother is believed to be related to Solon, the Greek statesman in 6th century B.C.E. His father is related to the kings of Messenia and Athens. After the death of Socrates in 399 B.C.E, Plato began studying mathematics, geometry, geology, astronomy and religion in Egypt, which is where he began his writing. During his travelling period of 399-387 B.C.E he wrote the Apology of Socrates, Protagoras, Euthyphro, Hippias Major and Minor and Ion, in which he writes about Socartes’ teaching

     “The Unexamined Life is not Worth Living.” This is the famous quote proclaimed by Socrates, a controversial philosopher of ancient Athens. He believed that anyone could lead a significant and meaningful existence by examining his or her own life and ideas very thoroughly. (Soccio)

Plato was a philosopher and educator in ancient Greece. He was one of the most important thinkers and writers in the history of Western culture. Plato was born in Athens into a family that was one of the oldest and most distinguished in the city. His father Ariston died when Plato was only a child. The name Plato was a nickname meaning broad shoulders. Plato's real name was Aristocles. Plato had aspirations of becoming a politician, however these hopes were destroyed when his friend Socrates was sentenced to death in 299 B.C. Extremely hurt Plato left Athens and traveled for several years. In 387 B.C., Plato returned to Athens and founded a school of philosophy and science that became known as the Academy. Topics such as astronomy,

Plato was among the most important and creative thinkers of the ancient world. He was born in Athens in 428 BC to an aristocratic and well-off family. Even as a young child Plato was familiar with political life because his father, Ariston was the last king of Athens. Ariston died when Plato was a young boy. However, the excessive Athenian political life, which was under the oligarchical rule of the Thirty Tyrants and the restored democracy, seem to have forced him to give up any ambitions of political life. In 388 BC he journeyed to Italy and Sicily, where he became the friend of Dionysius the ruler of Syracuse, and his brother-in-law Dion. The following year he returned to Athens, where he devoted his