The Great Greek Philosopher

Plato

Plato was born on 428/427 BCE, Athens, Greece-dide348/347, Athens), Ancient Greek
Philosopher, student of Socrates, Teacher of Aristotle and founder of the Academy, best
known as the author of philosophical works of unparalleled influence.

The son of Ariston and Perictione, Plato was born in the year after the death of the great
Athenian statesman Pericles. His brothers Glaucon and Adeimantus are portrayed as
interlocutors in Plato’s masterpiece the Republic, and his half brother Antiphon figures in
the Parmenides. Plato’s Family was aristocratic and distinguished: his father’s side
claimed descent from the God Poseidon, and his mother’s side was related to the
lawgiver Solon. Less creditably, his mother’s close relatives Critias and charmides were
among the thirty tyrants who seized power in Athens and ruled briefly ultil the restoration
of democracry in 403.

Works
As noted above, studies of both content and style have resulted in the division of Plato’s
works into three groups. Thus, (1) the early, or Socratic, dialogues represent
conversations in which Socrates tests others on issues of human importance without
discussing metaphysics; (2) the middle dialogues, or literary masterpieces, typically
contain views originating with Plato on human issues, together with a sketch of
a metaphysical position presented as foundational; and (3) the late dialogues, or
technical studies, treat this metaphysical position in a fuller and more direct way. There
are also some miscellaneous works, including letters, verses attributed to Plato, and
dialogues of contested authenticity. Socrates employs a dialect method which proceeds
by questioning The role of dialectic in Plato's thought is contested but there are two
main interpretations: a type of reasoning and a method of intuition. Simon black burn
adopts the first, saying that Plato's dialectic is "the process of eliciting the truth by
means of questions aimed at opening out what is already implicitly known, or at
exposing the contradictions and muddles of an opponent's position.” A similar
interpretation has been put forth by Louis Hartz, who suggests that elements of the
dialectic are borrowed from Hegel According to this view, opposing arguments improve
upon each other, and prevailing opinion is shaped by the synthesis of many conflicting
ideas over time. Each new idea exposes a flaw in the accepted model, and the
epistemological substance of the debate continually approaches the truth. Hartz's is a
teleological interpretation at the core, in which philosophers will ultimately exhaust the
available body of knowledge and thus reach "the end of history." Karl popper on the
other hand, claims that dialectic is the art of intuition for "visualising the divine originals,
the Forms or Ideas, of unveiling the Great Mystery behind the common man's everyday
world of appearances.

Philosophy

Plato's final years were spent at the Academy and with his writing. The circumstances
surrounding his death are clouded, though it is fairly certain that he died in Athens
around 348 B.C.E., when he was in his early 80s. Some scholars suggest that he died
while attending a wedding, while others believe he died peacefully in his sleep.

Plato's impact on philosophy and the nature of humans has had a lasting impact far
beyond his homeland of Greece. His work covered a broad spectrum of interests and
ideas: mathematics, science and nature, morals and political theory. His beliefs on the
importance of mathematics in education have proven to be essential for understanding
the entire universe. His work on the use of reason to develop a more fair and just
society that is focused on the equality of individuals established the foundation for
modern democracy. Sometime around 385 B.C.E., Plato founded a school of learning,
known as the Academy, which he presided over until his death. It is believed the school
was located at an enclosed park named for a legendary Athenian hero. The Academy
operated until 529 C.E.., when it was closed by Roman Emperor Justinian I, who feared
it was a source of paganism and a threat to Christianity. Over its years of operation, the
Academy's curriculum included astronomy, biology, mathematics, political theory and
philosophy. Plato hoped the Academy would provide a place for future leaders to
discover how to build a better government in the Greek city-states.
Jerome P Marasigan Charles Kenneth I
Adelantar
Grade 12 -Section 15
(ICT)