The Genius of Plato Essay - 1784 Words

Plato was born to an aristocratic family in Athens, Greece. When he was a child his father, Ariston, who was believed to be descended from the early kings of Athens died, and his mother, Perictione married Pyrilampes. As a young man Plato was always interested in political leadership and eventually became a disciple of Socrates. He followed his philosophy and his dialectical style, which is believed to be the search for truth through questions, answers, and additional questions. After witnessing the death of Socrates at the hands of the Athenian democracy in 399 B.C., Plato left Athens and continued to travel to Italy, Sicily, and Egypt. (Internet) In 387 B.C. Plato founded the Academy in Athens otherwise known as the first†¦show more content†¦He does not enter into the conversation of Laws. More interest was shown in the possibilities of politics. Law and legal government were stressed and it greatly influenced Aristotle. It is clear that in later years Plato became more aware of the difficulties in attempting to combine science with government. Platos main interest at the end of his life was to guide human effort as indicated in his last dialogues, the Laws. (Allen) Many students of the Academy were reaching into positions of power in the Greek world. Plato planned a trilogy at the end of his life, the Timaeus, the Critias, and the Hermoncrates. (Allen) THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE Platos theory of knowledge can be found in the myth of the cave. The myth describes people chained within a cave. The only images they see are the shadows of objects and animals held in front of a fire that is behind them that reflects on the cave walls in front of them. That is all they had ever seen so that is what they believe to be real. One day a man escaped the cave and went outside. With the sun he saw what was real in the world and realized all he ever saw were just shadows. He went back to the men in the cave and told them all this. He told them that they too could see the outside if they broke free of their chains but they didnt believe him. The environment of the cave toShow MoreRelatedEmerson’s Unifying Philosophy Essay1143 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout human existence, scholars have earnestly pursued knowledge and the attainment of truth. Historical figures such as Plato, Descartes, and Emerson sought answ ers to daunting questions of: ‘What is truth?’; ‘What is reality?’; ‘How is wisdom acquired?’ Many scholars believe these philosophers presented conflicting viewpoints: Plato encouraging skepticism among all previous historical, cultural, and personal perspectives; Descartes questioning definitions of reality and his very existence;Read MoreNotes on Chapter Two- Does the Center Hold? Essay1166 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is knowledge? Can we know anything for certain? What are the limitations of what we know? * Socrates began to question the usual perceptions of knowledge, advocating for a clearer picture than common sense allowed. The Philosophy of Plato * You cannot claim to know something if you cannot claim to believe it as well. * Belief is not the only requirement for knowledge, truth is also required. * You need to be able to communicate what you know. * Real life application:Read MorePlato s Apology And Ralph Waldo Emerson s On Self Reliance1559 Words   |  7 Pagesliving an examined life is living an enlightened life full of intelligence. I agree with Plato and Emerson’s similar ideas that without knowledge, life as it is, is not worth living. They both argue that having personal beliefs creates an intelligent society. Having knowledge allows for one to set goals and objectives to achieve within a lifetime, which gives purpose to one’s life. In Plato’s â€Å"Apology†, Plato tells the story of Socrates, a philosopher from Athens, Greece, who is accused by threeRead MoreSocrates, Plato, and Aristotle884 Words   |  4 PagesMike W. Civ. 1: Sec, 121-10 Dr. Maria Farina Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, three men considered to be the quintessential basis of ancient Greek philosophy. Not only were they responsible for Greek enlightenment, but also foreshadowed the coming of Christ in there speculations. Plato, the protà ©gà © of Socrates, became the first to document the philosophy of his teacher, which in turn is passed down to Aristotle. This process of mentoring aided ancient man in the intellectual evolution ofRead MoreGuthrie Essay 854 Words   |  4 Pagesphilosopher, Plato for example, this equation may be further analyzed. The first variable, temperament, is shown by Plato’s personality and interests, such as his concern for politics depicted in Plato’s Republic. The next, experience, explains why Plato has fixations with the ideas he possesses and the final piece to the equation, previous philosophers, is self-explanatory that earlier thinkers, like Socrates, become significant influences. As stated in Guthrie’s The Greek Philosophers, Plato had twoRead MorePhilosophy - Admission of Ignorance1556 Words   |  7 Pagesone time and ventured to ask the oracle – as I say, gentlemen, do not create a disturbance – he asked if any man was wiser than I, and the Pythian replied that no one was wiser. Chaerephon is dead, but his brother, will testify to you about this.† (Plato 25-26) Socrates recounts to the men of Athens how he took this news with great puzzlement. â€Å"What can the god mean? And what is the interpretation of this riddle? What can the oracle mean when he says that I am the wisest of men?† Socrates knewRead More Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle Essay866 Words   |  4 Pages Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, three men considered to be the quintessential basis of ancient Greek philosophy. Not only were they responsible for Greek enlightenment, but also foreshadowed the coming of Christ in there speculations. Plato, the protà ©gà © of Socrates, became the first to document the philosophy of his teacher, which in turn is passed down to Aristotle. This process of mentoring aided ancient man in the intellectual evolution of politics and religion, known as the linear conceptRead MoreEssay Applying Platos Allegory of the Cave1649 Words   |  7 Pagesand Thomas Becket Plato was one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He is recognized all over the world as one of the greatest minds of all time. Knowledge is required under compulsion has not hold on the mind.(Durant 24). Platos dialogues are the fruit of a rare mind; but the could not have kept their perennial freshness if they had not somehow succeeded in expressing he problems and the convictions that are common to Platos age and to all later ages. Genius alone is not enough; orRead MoreSocrates s Views On Philosophy1108 Words   |  5 PagesHis most influential pupils were philosopher Plato and historian and social commentator Xenophon. Plato was a student of Socrates. He had similar beliefs in multiple leaders. Plato was ruler by philosopher kings (Enlightened Rulers). He founded a school with no tuition that is called an academy. Plato wrote works of Socrates. Plato knows different types of Dialogues. The Republic displayed politics, and social harmony over individual liberty. Plato dedicated his life to transmitting his teacher’sRead MoreEssay about The Genius that Was Pythagoras573 Words   |  3 PagesWhat makes a person considered a genius? All of our opinions are different on what we think a genius is. For example, Einstein and Mozart were both considered geniuses but Mozarts talent came naturally where as Einstein had mentors help him along the way. Pythagoras was known as the first pure mathematician. So was Pythagoras considered a genius? Pythagoras was most well-known for what we know today as the Pythagorean Theorem and also that the sum of all the angles in a triangle is equal to two