Plato was born into a wealthy
Athenian family around 429 BC.
So, he grew up during the
Peloponnesian War (431 – 404 BC).
Around the age of 20, Plato joined the circle of Socrates.
Socrates did not conduct his philosophical inquiries through writing... ... but through engaging in dialogues with prominent
Athenians, often in public places. We can imagine Plato watching on and sometimes participating in these conversations.
In 404, when Athens was finally forced to surrender, a Spartan sponsored tyranny, known as the Rule of Thirty, was installed in Athens.
The tyranny was extremely vicious and lasted less than a year. Plato’s uncle and cousin were key players in the Rule of Thirty.
It may have been his family’s involvement in this unhappy period that led Plato to finally shun politics and pursue the philosophical life.
In 399, Socrates was tried and sentenced to death (by drinking hemlock) for impiety and for corrupting the youth.
After this, Plato spent around a decade travelling the Mediterranean.
Around 388 BC, Plato returned to
Athens and established a school called the Academy.
Plato wrote 20 books before his death in 347.
Almost all his books take the form of dialogues led by
Socrates (who, remember, did not write anything himself).
To what extent Plato is faithfully representing Socrates...
... and to what extent he is using
Socrates as a character through which he advances his own views, ... is difficult to discern and a matter of debate.
It is believed to vary from book to book and over periods of
Plato’s writing.
Plato’s Republic was written about 375 BC.
The title is a poor Latin translation (res publica > things
+ public = public affairs) of the
Greek word politaea which meant ‘ideal state’ (Phelan:
2005, 148).
The topic of justice remains a debatable subject within the book The Republic of Plato. There are three definitions that have been discussed, including Thrasymachus a sophist whose view on justice is the "advantage of the strong", and Cephalus and Polemarchus' views on justice being "giving to each what is owed" or "helping friends and harming enemies". All of these views have been discussed and thoroughly debated, interestingly enough the majority of the commentary in the book consisted of Socrates…
plato The Republic is an examination of the "Good Life"; the harmony reached by applying pure reason and justice. The ideas and arguments of Plato center on the social settings of an ideal republic - those that lead each person to the most perfect possible life for him. Socrates was Plato's early mentor in real life. As a tribute to his teacher, Plato uses Socrates in several of his works and dialogues. Socrates moderates the discussion throughout, as Plato's mouthpiece. Through Socrates' powerful…
Reflection on: the “Republic,” by Plato. Greek philosopher, Plato, is considered to be one of the most influential people in Western Philosophy. The fact that he was a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle leaves no questions about his competence. One of his fundamental works is the “Republic”. Even though it was written in 380 BC, Plato’s and Socrates’s thoughts are still relevant in twenty first century. This paper will evaluate the quote from the “Republic” and provide a summary…
llegory Anthony Guerra Professor Neilson Philosophy & Ethics 14 October 2010 The Allegory of the Cave and The Matrix Book VII of The Republic begins with Socrates’ “Allegory of the Cave.” The purpose of this allegory is to “make an image of our nature in its education and want of education” in other words, it illustrates Socrates’ model of education. In addition, the allegory corresponds perfectly to the analogy of the divided line. However, this Cave Analogy is also an applicable theme…
The Despicable Content in Hip-Hop Music – Making Plato Turn in his Grave In a city where each individual is able to do as he pleases is a city that will be filled with murder, theft, gluttony, deviance and prejudice. Hip-Hop artists, in their music, constantly incorporate these aspects of life within the content of their lyrics. This content is not only described throughout their songs, but the lifestyle of being able to do such things is constantly being advocated. “F*ck the Police” and “Beat…
Haþim Cihan Demirköprülü, 20303433 Essay Question: Compare the Characteristics of the true guardians, as described by Plato (Republic, bk VII, pp.158 – 61, 484b – 487e) with the characteristics of the rulers, as described by Machiavelli (The Prince, ch.15, pp. 47 – 49 and ch. 18, pp.54f). What is the most important difference between the two accounts? In your view, which account is better, and why? For centuries, every ruler created their own principles and rules and somehow…
In the Republic IV Socrates purposes the argument that the soul has three parts and each corresponds to the parts of the ideal city. His argument is as follows, society should be divided into three distinct classes according to each individual’s natural abilities. (‘More plentiful goods are produced if each person does one thing for which he is naturally suited’1)The three groups which society will be organized into are the guardians, the auxiliaries and the producers. Three virtues are also established…
Machiavelli's criticism of Plato's The Republic states that a ruler who possesses an inherent quality of that which is consistently good will never have the authority to rule his or her people successfully. If a ruler always treats his subjects in a manner, which can be qualified as good, then he will ultimately meet his demise, as his subjects will rise against him. Machiavelli claims that it is unrealistic to assume that all the people of a kingdom will conduct themselves in a manner that will…
Ultimate Basis of Reality Plato, a philosopher that lived more than 2,400 years ago, has proven himself to be, as time has elapsed, one of the brightest men ever to inhabit the earth. Although it is not certain, it is believed that he was born a little over 400 years before Christ in ancient Greece. He was brought up in the home of a wealthy and influential family in Athens and his parents made sure that he got the best education money could buy. Before I discuss Plato further, it is critically important…
Introduction to Philosophy john doe PHI 100 Section 081 03/15/13 Spring 2013 PLATO’S THE REPUBLIC We as humans possess a very strong belief that moral righteousness and being just play a gigantic role in living a peaceful and harmonious life. It is in our best interest that we behave just. But we may ask ourselves the question why do we behave justly? Is it because we are afraid that we might become recipients of societal punishment? Or is it because we fear that we will…