The Philosophy Of Plato

Plato is introduced as a resounding voice of Periclean Greece, whose philosophy brought wisdom to the common man. Even 2000 years after his death, his thoughts continue to influence countless students.

Born Aristocles around 428 BCE in Athens, he was nicknamed Plato due to his broad physique. An athlete, his path changed after meeting Socrates, under whom he developed a deep love for wisdom. Following Socrates' death, Plato traveled for 12 years before returning to Athens at age 40 to establish The Academy, one of the first organized schools in Western civilization.

Socrates' execution fueled Plato's contempt for democracy and a desire to create an ideal state ruled by the wisest. In his work 'The Republic,' he sought to understand why ideal states fail, attributing it to human nature, greed, and ambition. He observed how political systems cycle from aristocracy to oligarchy, democracy, and finally autocracy, often due to a lack of proper education and the rise of demagogues.

Plato believed understanding human nature was key to building a successful state. He categorized human behavior into three sources: desire (producers like farmers and merchants), emotion (auxiliaries like military officers), and knowledge (guardians or philosopher kings). A successful state enables individuals to perform roles best suited to their nature, warning against rulers driven by wealth.

Plato proposed an intricate selection system beginning with equal educational opportunities for all, regardless of class, race, or gender. Children are sent to the countryside, educated physically and musically, and instilled with moral values through religion. At 20, the first examination identifies producers. At 30, a second examination identifies auxiliaries. The remaining few train in philosophy for five years, followed by 15 years of real-world experience. At 50, these individuals become the state's rulers, eliminating social status discrimination and the flaws of democracy.

Beyond political ideals, 'The Republic' explores justice. Plato defined justice as 'the having and doing what is one’s own,' meaning a just person is in their rightful place, performing their best. On a societal level, justice is the effective coordination of individuals for an efficient whole, contrasting with other moral philosophies that emphasize kindness or strength. The interpretation of Plato's ethics varies among scholars, with Unitarian, Revisionist, and Developmentalist views.

Plato's metaphysics is best understood through his doctrine of ideas, or the theory of forms. He proposed a duality of the universe: the physical realm (perceived by senses) and the realm of forms (conceived by reason). Physical objects are seen as temporary imitations of eternal, unchanging forms. For example, changing dog breeds still point to the unchanging 'ideal of a dog.' This realm of forms, which includes abstract laws like geometry, provides meaning to life, preventing it from being a mere 'bundle of sensations.'