Introduction to Plato

Plato was a Greek philosopher who was born in Athens. He was one of the important figures in the history of ancient Greek. He was born and raised in a noble family called an Aristocratic family. Plato had a great interest in studies. He was influenced by various Greek philosophers like Pythagoras, Socrates, etc. The theories of these great philosophers influenced his several philosophies. In contrast, he was a great follower of Socrates and was his student until he died. He founded the first school for higher learning in the Western world, which came to be known as the Platonist School of Thoughts and the Academy.

EARLY LIFE OF PLATO:

Plato is one of the important figures in the history of the Asian degree. He was born in Athens between the year 429 BC and 423 BC. This era was close to the Peloponnesian war. Plato belongs to an upper-class family. His father, Ariston, belongs to a noble family. His father had the upper hand for the god Poseidon. Whereas Plato’s mother, Perictione, was related to the monarch, Solon, and the Thirty Tyrants. The Thirty Tyrants were the supreme power that claimed Athens and ruled over it. He had two brothers, Glaucon, and Adeimantus, who even contributed to Plato’s the Republic. Plato used to adore and follow Socrates. Plato’s real name was Aristotle, though he used to call himself Platon.

ACADEMIC AND DEATH OF PLATO:

He had an interest in studying and exploring new fields of education. In his whole life, he travelled to different cities, like Sicily, Egypt, Italy. After returning from Sicily to Athens in his forties, he established a school of higher education. The school came to be known as the Platonist School of Thoughts and the Academy. Many great scholars excelled at that Academy, one of the most famous figures was Aristotle, who completed his studies from the Platonist School of Thoughts and the Academy. Plato died in 347 BC, at the age of 81 or 84, as the date opinion differs. Though, it is said that he died on the same day he was born.

INFLUENCES:

Plato had been under the influence of various great philosophers of that time. Some of the great influences that Plato experienced in his entire life work.

1. Pythagoras: Plato was greatly influenced by the Pythagoras. A lot of his philosophies were inspired by the teachings of Pythagoras. Aristotle even claimed that many of the philosophies were under the teaching of Pythagoreans. It was considered that Pythagoras and Plato both have similar interests, as they both believe in metempsychosis and transmigration of the soul. Numenius was the aspect of philosophy that both Pythagoras and Plato considered mutually.

2. Theodorus of Cyrene: Pluto greatly influences the Greek mathematician, Theodorus of Cyrene. He had studied under several mathematicians. The influence of these mathematicians led him to attain the knowledge of pure and applied mathematics, number theory, and logistics.

3. Heraclitus and Parmenides: These two philosophers are among the greatest philosophers of history, which believed in metaphysical tradition, apart from mythology. Their influence had a great effect on Plato. By Plato, the image of the river was greatly influenced by Cratylus, a discipline framed by Heraclitus, which considered that a thing could not be defined if it is continuously changing.

4. Socrates: Plato adored Socrates very much, and he was one of the active followers of Socrates. He was influenced by Socrates while framing the dialogues for the theory of forms. In contrast, several philosophers, like Aristotle, claim quite a difference between Plato’s and Socrates’ ideas of forms. Socrates had expressed the natural world in the theory of forms. On the other hand, Plato expresses things beyond human understanding.

PHILOSOPHY:

Plato has laid out several philosophies over several subjects. Some of the great philosophies postulated by Plato are:

1. Metaphysics: Plato has put forward several philosophies related to metaphysics, including religion, science, love, human nature, etc. One of Plato’s important or key philosophies was the “twin pillars of Platonism.”

2. The Forms: The forms became known as one of the greatest philosophers postulated by Plato. It is based upon the theory that denies the reality of this world and considers it a copy or replica of the real world.

3. Epistemology: Plato put forward the aspect of epistemology. The basic epistemology was based on Socrates’ belief that knowledge is not attained from the sensory experience but divine experience.

Flat is also famous for several philosophies related to ethics justice. Politics, etc. One of the greatest philosophies related to these subjects was “The Republic.”

CONCLUSION:

Plato was one of the great Greek philosophers in history. He had postulated several theories related to life, politics, justice, and ethics. He had been under the influence of various great philosophers like Pythagoras Socrates. Theodorus of Cyrene, Heraclitus and Parmenides, etc. He had been under the influence of several mathematicians, which led him to learn about number theory, logistics, etc. He had a great interest in studying, which led him to establish the first high learning education school, which came to be known as the Platonist School of Thoughts and the Academy. He had been a part of several themes where he wrote dialogues. Some of the greatest themes were The trial of Socrates, Allegory, the Cave, etc. At the age of 81, this great philosopher died on the same day as he was born.