Plato was a Greek philosopher who was one of the greatest thinkers in western philosophy. He lived from about 428 to 347 B.C. He was an aristocrat born in Athens.
Plato's father was Ariston who was believed to be the descendant of one of the early kings of Athens and his mother was Perictione who claimed to be a relative of Solon, one of the early lawmakers. He came from a wealthy, aristocratic, and influential family. When Plato was young, his father died and his mother was remarried to Pyrilampes, an associate of Pericles.
Plato entire childhood took place during the Peloponnesian War which he may have been a Calvary man for some time during it. Plato had about 30 written works all in the rare form of Prose dialog. He traveled to Italy where he met followers of Pythagoras, which seem to have affected his views on death. He also traveled to Sicily where he impacted one of the kinsman of Dionysus, the emperor.
Plato joined the dynamic circle of Socrates and eventually became his greatest pupil. The only reason we know so much about Socrates is because Plato wrote dialogs about Socrates and others discussing philosophical ideas. Plato's greatest student was Aristotle. One of Plato's greatest writings was "The Republic" and it was one of the single most influential writings in western philosophy. "The Republic" asks two questions. The questions asked are What is the states justice, and what is a just man? "The Republic" discusses how to have a good life.
In 387, Plato founded an academy in a suburb outside of Athens, which consisted of a gymnasium and a park. This school of philosophy was sacred to the ancient ruler Akademos. The primary goal of the academy was to train the future leaders of Athens and other city-states. We can see how the lessons were taught by some of Plato's written dialogs. One of the most prevailing students at the academy was Aristotle who was at the academy in an early age, in a time where there were no fees at the academy. The teachings gradually became more mathematical and abstract until Arcesilaus brought the academy back to philosophical Skepticism. The academy lasted over 900 years and eventually brought in students from Rome and Byzantine. Even after the death of Plato, the school kept going until The emperor of Byzantine, Justinian, closed it.
Plato died in 347 B.C. After the death of Plato, not Aristotle, but Plato's nephew Speusippus took over the academy. Even after he died, his academy went on for centuries.
Sacks, David. "The Academy." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005.
Sacks, David. "Plato." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2005.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Socrates
Socrates was a Greek philosopher who profoundly effected western philosophy. He lived from 469 to 399 B.C.E. He was the teacher of Plato, who taught Aristotle.
Socrates was born in Athens, Greece to Sophroniscus, a sculptor, and Phaenarete. He had regular education in elementary literature, music, and gymnastics, and eventually became a potter, following the craft of his father. Socrates was tutored by Archelaus. For awhile, he was interested in science, influenced by the works of Anaxagoras, but eventually gave that up to study of the development of moral character. After awhile, he decided to become a stonemason and raise his children with his wife, Xanthippe. Finally, Socrates decided to practice philosophical dialog. (source)
Socrates was not one to simply ask one question, he would ask many questions. In Plato's Meno, which is a dialog between Socrates and Meno, there is a whole discussion on whether virtue can be taught. He asks a lot of questions and finally decides that virtue is a gift given by the gods, not distributed to everyone, so virtue is not something that can be taught. On the other hand, Plato thinks that virtue is a type of knowledge, therefore can be taught. Socrates said some very famous things.
Socrates made no writings in his lifetime, so all his teachings we have to get through the writings of his students. Some of his most prevailing students were Plato, who tutored Aristotle, and Xenophon. The only problem is that Plato was someone who would mix his own ideas into the teachings of Socrates, so we can't be sure of his exact teachings, but we do have an accurate idea of his methods. Socrates very much believed in the pursuit of truth. (source) One of Socrates conclusions was that happiness depends solely on living a moral life. Socrates was even compared to Jesus for his arguments in the area of religion.
Socrates tried to stay away from politics, but was tried for ignoring the gods, and bringing in new divine beings. He was sentenced to death by drinking Hemlock, the standard death sentence in Athens. He was sentenced to drink it in the evening, but drank it on his own earlier that day. Socrates died in 399 BC leaving behind a great legacy.
Sacks, David. "Socrates." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Ancient and Medieval History Online.
Sheldon, Garrett Ward. "Socrates, political thought of." Encyclopedia of Political Thought. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2001. Ancient and Medieval History Online.
Socrates was born in Athens, Greece to Sophroniscus, a sculptor, and Phaenarete. He had regular education in elementary literature, music, and gymnastics, and eventually became a potter, following the craft of his father. Socrates was tutored by Archelaus. For awhile, he was interested in science, influenced by the works of Anaxagoras, but eventually gave that up to study of the development of moral character. After awhile, he decided to become a stonemason and raise his children with his wife, Xanthippe. Finally, Socrates decided to practice philosophical dialog. (source)
Socrates was not one to simply ask one question, he would ask many questions. In Plato's Meno, which is a dialog between Socrates and Meno, there is a whole discussion on whether virtue can be taught. He asks a lot of questions and finally decides that virtue is a gift given by the gods, not distributed to everyone, so virtue is not something that can be taught. On the other hand, Plato thinks that virtue is a type of knowledge, therefore can be taught. Socrates said some very famous things.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be content to take their own and depart.As portrayed in Meno, he couldn't accept yes or no for an answer. Even the fictional character of Meno was confused by some of the brilliant thinkings of Socrates.
Socrates made no writings in his lifetime, so all his teachings we have to get through the writings of his students. Some of his most prevailing students were Plato, who tutored Aristotle, and Xenophon. The only problem is that Plato was someone who would mix his own ideas into the teachings of Socrates, so we can't be sure of his exact teachings, but we do have an accurate idea of his methods. Socrates very much believed in the pursuit of truth. (source) One of Socrates conclusions was that happiness depends solely on living a moral life. Socrates was even compared to Jesus for his arguments in the area of religion.
Socrates tried to stay away from politics, but was tried for ignoring the gods, and bringing in new divine beings. He was sentenced to death by drinking Hemlock, the standard death sentence in Athens. He was sentenced to drink it in the evening, but drank it on his own earlier that day. Socrates died in 399 BC leaving behind a great legacy.
Sacks, David. "Socrates." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Ancient and Medieval History Online.
Sheldon, Garrett Ward. "Socrates, political thought of." Encyclopedia of Political Thought. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2001. Ancient and Medieval History Online.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Plato's Meno
Plato's Meno was written in 380 B.C. and is a discussion between Socrates, and a character named Meno. It is a very long discussion about virtues: The definition, and whether or not they can be taught. The character of Socrates has so much thoughts and asks a lot of questions, which is comon in philosophy.
Socrates was a Greek philosopher who lived from 469 to 399 BC. He was born in Athens and affected western philosophy greatly through his teachings to Plato. Socrates was the son of Sophroniscus, who was a sculptor, and Phaenarete, who was considered a midwife, and he had elementary teaching in literature, music, and gymnastics. He took on his father's profession as a sculptor and created the statue of 3 Graces that stood at the entrance of the Acropolis until the 2nd century. He also was a soldier serving in the Peloponnesian War as an infantry man. The Socrates portrayed in Plato's Meno is trying to decide whether virtue is something that can be taught.Socrates was a man who believed that arguments were more meaningful than any writing. He obeyed the law, but tried to stay away from politics, but in 399 BC, he was charged with neglecting the gods and bringing in new divinities. His friends offered to help him escape, but he refused because he wanted to die with dignity. He spent his last day on earth with family and friends, and in the evening, he willingly drank a glass of hemlock and died. (source)
Plato was a Greek philosopher and one of the greatest thinkers in western philosophy. He was born in Athens in about 428 BC and died around 347 BC. He was born to Ariston( who was believed to be a descendant from one of the early kings of Athens) and Perictione, an Aristocratic family. When he was a young man, his father died and he became a disciple of Socrates. In 399 BC he witnessed the death of Socrates and in fear of his own life, fled to Sicittending the academy was Aristotle. In 367 BC, he went to Sicily to tutor Dionysiusly, Italy, and Egypt. After returning to Athens, in 387 he created the Academy in Athens, which was the first university in Europe. The Academy offered such subjects as astronomy, biology, mathematics, political theory, and philosophy. One of the best students a, who was the new ruler of Syracuse, in philosophical rule. He had no success, but returned to Sicily in 361, this time having little success. Socrates died at around 80 years old and had spent the last years of his life teaching at the Academy and writings. Most of his writings were in dialogues of philosophical ideas. His earliest works were 35 dialogues and 13 letters. One of his greatest works was called Meno. Many of Plato's works were long discussions on topics like virtues, wisdom, courage, and moderation, and many of them were acurate discussions of Socrates.(source)
Plato 's Meno is a long story that is a discussion between Socrates and a character named Meno. In the discussion, Socrates is asking about virtue and if it is something that can be taught. For a long time, they are first trying to define what virtue really is. One of Meno's suggestions is that virtue is the desire of good things, which Socrates says that all man desires good in some way, and the power to secure those things. After a while in the discussion, even Meno is confused by the teachings of Socrates. Meno wants to go back to the original question of whether or not virtue can be taught, and Socrates has two ideas. One is that virtue is a type of knowledge, so it is teachable, and his other is that if there is any good that is not knowledge, then virtue ifs not knowledge, therefore, can not be taught. Meno decides for himself that virtue can be taught, but Socrates till is wondering. In the end, Socrates decides that virtue can not be taught, nor can you be born with it. He thinks that virtue is just a gift from the gods only given to certain people.
Meno is a great work that teaches us a lot and gives us different perspectives. We see that there are more answers than just yes and no, or right or wrong. Even socrates and Meno end up having difference in opinions.
Meno. Plato. 380 B.C.E.
Sacks, David. "Socrates." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005.
Socrates was a Greek philosopher who lived from 469 to 399 BC. He was born in Athens and affected western philosophy greatly through his teachings to Plato. Socrates was the son of Sophroniscus, who was a sculptor, and Phaenarete, who was considered a midwife, and he had elementary teaching in literature, music, and gymnastics. He took on his father's profession as a sculptor and created the statue of 3 Graces that stood at the entrance of the Acropolis until the 2nd century. He also was a soldier serving in the Peloponnesian War as an infantry man. The Socrates portrayed in Plato's Meno is trying to decide whether virtue is something that can be taught.Socrates was a man who believed that arguments were more meaningful than any writing. He obeyed the law, but tried to stay away from politics, but in 399 BC, he was charged with neglecting the gods and bringing in new divinities. His friends offered to help him escape, but he refused because he wanted to die with dignity. He spent his last day on earth with family and friends, and in the evening, he willingly drank a glass of hemlock and died. (source)
Plato was a Greek philosopher and one of the greatest thinkers in western philosophy. He was born in Athens in about 428 BC and died around 347 BC. He was born to Ariston( who was believed to be a descendant from one of the early kings of Athens) and Perictione, an Aristocratic family. When he was a young man, his father died and he became a disciple of Socrates. In 399 BC he witnessed the death of Socrates and in fear of his own life, fled to Sicittending the academy was Aristotle. In 367 BC, he went to Sicily to tutor Dionysiusly, Italy, and Egypt. After returning to Athens, in 387 he created the Academy in Athens, which was the first university in Europe. The Academy offered such subjects as astronomy, biology, mathematics, political theory, and philosophy. One of the best students a, who was the new ruler of Syracuse, in philosophical rule. He had no success, but returned to Sicily in 361, this time having little success. Socrates died at around 80 years old and had spent the last years of his life teaching at the Academy and writings. Most of his writings were in dialogues of philosophical ideas. His earliest works were 35 dialogues and 13 letters. One of his greatest works was called Meno. Many of Plato's works were long discussions on topics like virtues, wisdom, courage, and moderation, and many of them were acurate discussions of Socrates.(source)
Plato 's Meno is a long story that is a discussion between Socrates and a character named Meno. In the discussion, Socrates is asking about virtue and if it is something that can be taught. For a long time, they are first trying to define what virtue really is. One of Meno's suggestions is that virtue is the desire of good things, which Socrates says that all man desires good in some way, and the power to secure those things. After a while in the discussion, even Meno is confused by the teachings of Socrates. Meno wants to go back to the original question of whether or not virtue can be taught, and Socrates has two ideas. One is that virtue is a type of knowledge, so it is teachable, and his other is that if there is any good that is not knowledge, then virtue ifs not knowledge, therefore, can not be taught. Meno decides for himself that virtue can be taught, but Socrates till is wondering. In the end, Socrates decides that virtue can not be taught, nor can you be born with it. He thinks that virtue is just a gift from the gods only given to certain people.
Meno is a great work that teaches us a lot and gives us different perspectives. We see that there are more answers than just yes and no, or right or wrong. Even socrates and Meno end up having difference in opinions.
Meno. Plato. 380 B.C.E.
Sacks, David. "Socrates." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005.
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