Essay On Plato

Essay about PlatoвЂ™s Apology
Plato's Apology
Socrates was a very simple man who did not have many material possessions and spoke in a plain,
conversational manner. Acknowledging his own ignorance, he engaged in conversations with people
claiming to be experts, usually in ethical matters. By asking simple questions, Socrates gradually
revealed that these people were in fact very confused and did not actually know anything about the
matters about which they claimed to be an expert. Socrates felt that the quest for wisdom and the
instruction of others through dialogue and inquiry were the highest aims in life. He felt that "The
unexamined life is not worth living." Plato's Apology is the speech Socrates made at his trial.
Socrates was charged with not recognizing the...show more content...
He believed that the reason he was put on trial was because he embarrassed many people. Socrates
compared himself to a gadfly stinging the lazy horse, which is the Athenian state. Without him,
Socrates claimed, the state would drift into a deep sleep, but through his influence it can be
awakened. Socrates was found guilty by a narrow margin and was asked to come up with a penalty.
Socrates suggested that if he were to get what he deserved, he should be honored with a great meal
for being of such service to the state. He rejected the sentences of prison or exile, offering instead to
pay a fine. When the jury rejected his suggestions and sentenced him to death, Socrates accepted the
verdict and said that no one but the gods know what happens after death and so it would be foolish
to fear what one does not know. He also warned the people who voted against him that by silencing
him rather than listening to him, they have harmed themselves much more than they have harmed
him.
Socrates opened his case by asking the jury to listen to him openly and to pardon him if he went
into his usual style of speaking. His accusers had already spoken against him in the flowery
manner common in courts of law. Socrates said that his accusers' speeches contained great
refinement and skill, and he lacked the ability to speak so well. However, he said that he would
speak the truth while his opponents lied. Socrates also stated that while his accusers' speeches were
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Essay on Plato's Euthyphro
Plato's Euthyphro
One of the most interesting and influential thinkers of all time was Socrates, whose dedication to
careful reasoning helped form the basis for philosophy. Socrates applied logical tricks in the search
for the truth. Consequently, his willingness to call everything into question and his determination to
accept nothing less than an accurate account of the nature of things made him one of the first people
to apply critical philosophy. Although he was well known for his philosophical ways of thinking,
Socrates never wrote anything down, so we are dependent on his students, like Plato, for any detailed
knowledge of his methods or ways of thinking. One of the early dialogues...show more content...
Euthyphro is supposed to provide a general definition that captures the very basic nature of what
piety is. Euthyphro claims that he knows what it is to be pious, but every answer he offers is
subjected to the full force of Socrates' critical thinking. Socrates systematically refutes
Euthyphro's suggestion that what makes right actions right is that the gods love, or approve of
them. First, there is the problem that since questions of right and wrong often create endless
disputes, the gods are likely to disagree among themselves about moral matters just as often as we
do, making some actions both right and wrong. Socrates lets Euthyphro off the hook on this one
by agreeing with him, but only for purposes of continuing the discussion. More importantly,
Socrates instigates a formal problem for Euthyphro from a deceivingly simple question, "Is the
pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?" Neither
choice can do the justice for which Euthyphro intends his definition of piety. If right actions are
pious only because the gods love them, then moral rightness is completely optional, depending only
on the impulses of the gods. But if the gods love right actions only because they are already right,
then there must be some non–divine source of values, which we might come to know separately
from their

Plato's Apology Essay
Plato's Apology
Plato's Apology is the story of the trial of Socrates, the charges brought against him and his
maintaining of his own innocence throughout the process. At the onset of the trial, Socrates appears
to challenging the charges, which included corrupting the youth, challenging belief in the gods that
were accepted and reveled by the State, and introducing a new religious focus, but also belittles his
own significance and suggesting that he will not attempt to disprove that he participated in the
actions maintained by the court. In essence, Socrates appears almost self–effacing, and his defense
surprises even his accuser, Meletus. But by the end of the Apology, Socrates becomes almost a
different person,...show more content...
Early in the Apology, Socrates argues that the charges of Meletus are not only false, but have led to
the rise of prejudice against him, and he demonstrates this through what he considers his own
reflection on the charges against him. Socrates suggests the indictment against him should read:
"Socrates is guilty of engaging in inquiries into things beneath the earth and in the heaven, of making
the weaker argument appear the stronger, and of teaching others the same things". Socrates suggests
that the breadth of the indictment against him could encompass the premises supported by many
men, and that it is only through the prejudice against him, the belief in his wisdom purported by
some, and the sense that Socrates has influenced men that has resulted in the charges, not through
the true belief that Socrates has taken actions against the State.
Perhaps it is the divided sentiments of the vote that impact Socrates, or perhaps just his realization
that from the onset, he would have been condemned not matter what his arguments, but Socrates
appears to transform himself after the votes are cast. Socrates is given the opportunity to propose an
alternative sentence to the death penalty proposed by Meletus, and many men would have begged
for mercy, asked for forgiveness, claimed to repent for their actions, and request leniency. Socrates,
though, demonstrates not only his strength in his

Essay on Plato and Aristotle
Plato describes a cave where people are chained up and can only see shadows cast on a wall. He
parallels these shadows to the things that people see in the world around them, the materialistic
reality that most people base their lives on. He parallels the chains to norms, customs, traditions,
habits, etc. Plato believes that because people are so preoccupied with these shadows of the truth,
they ignore the real truth. He parallels these shadows to the things that people see in the world
around them, the materialistic reality that most people base their lives on. So, it makes sense that
Plato wouldn't want to discount the possibility of a philosopher king based on the fact that he has
never seen one,...show more content...
This example of the differences in Plato an Aristotle's different views on government could be
expanded and clarified to a much greater extent than I have done here, however I don't believe
that it would help to show which is better. Comparing their theories of government would make
this task difficult, if not impossible, because such a comparison is so complex. So I would like to
move on to an example of their different views that has been historically tested, the issue of
women. In Greek civilization, women are seen to be inferior to men. They don't vote, or hold
political office. In the household, the man is in charge, and the woman obeys. Women aren't
educated (so they seem stupider than men do), and they are obviously weaker physically than men
are. Both Plato and Aristotle live in this civilization where women seem to be unequal to men, but
they have different opinions about the significance of this inequality. Aristotle believes that women
are inferior to men by nature (Politics 17, 26). Men hold political offices, and women don't; men
give orders, and women obey. This has been true in every civilization that Aristotle knows about.
Aristotle looks at these facts in the world around him, past and present, and uses the facts that he
sees to explain reality. In Aristotle's opinion women are obviously not inclined by nature to rule or be

Essay on Plato
Plato
The first degree of belief are physical objects, as the second degree of belief are shadows and
images of the physical objects. In the last book, Plato criticizes poetry and the fine arts. Plato feels
that art is merely the imitation of the imitation of reality, and that poetry corrupts the soul. Socrates
says that artists merely create things. As an example, if a painter draws a couch on his canvas, he is
creating a couch. But the couch he creates is not the real couch, it is nothing but a copy of an
ordinary, physical couch which was created by a craftsman. But the ordinary, physical couch is
nothing more than an imperfect copy, or image of the Form of Couch. So, the couch on the canvas
is nothing but a copy of a copy of the...show more content...
The Republic was Plato's ways of expressing his Theory of Forms and Justice. The main idea
perhaps is to make people understand that there can be no justice within a society whose people
are not "just" within themselves. There needs to be an internal justice, within the people, and
within each person, in order to bring peace to the society. From reading the Republic, I realized
that some issues he mentions are very clear, and some are not clear since I live in a different
society and time. Plato does not describe his ideal society in great detail since he is considered
with the ideal idea itself, and it is hard for me as a materialist to understand without seeing. One
thing that is clear is that Plato tries to defend his theory all along and lets us, "the unknowledged,"
experience a glimpse of the good. Plato's belief seemed that life was to involve a movement upward
toward the good, as this was a movement of the Soul.
Morality in the republic
The theme of The Republic is very complicated in some ways; it is a manual of sorts, which
demonstrates how society can achieve virtue. In the beginning of the Republic, we are introduced to
the fundamental question of the rest of the text, whether it is more beneficial to live justly (moral) or
unjustly (immoral). It is also important to note that The Republic is not arguing which is "better",
but rather which is more beneficial, whether the just or unjust life will make one happier. I

Plato the Philosopher Essay
Plato was a philosopher who was born in Athens (470–390 BCE), and was also a student of Socrates.
He felt that intelligence and one's perception belonged to completely independent realms or
realities. He believed that general concepts of knowledge were predestined, or placed in the soul
before birth even occurred in living things. Plato believed that the cosmos was intelligible, and the
the universe was mathematically understandable. He believes that mathematical objects could be
seen as perfect forms. Forms, a doctoral of Plato, can be understood as an everyday object or idea,
which does not, exists in the everyday realm, but merely is existent in the hypothetical realm or
reality.
Plato believed that the truths existed...show more content...
Our sensory also give us knowledge of the material world, what we can see or smell. And sensory
objects he believed that they were in constant change and were a phenomenon to the physical world.
Plato used the concept of the divided line to illustrate the relationship of knowledge to opinion.
Metaphysics is investigating principles or reality transcending those of any particular science.
Cosmology and Ontology were the traditional branches concerned with the explaining of the
ultimate nature of being in the world. Epistemology was also used it is the attempt to answer the
basic question of true and untrue knowledge. The study of nature of being, existence or reality in
general and its basic categories. A Plato's Divided Line. A+B= world of forms (Being). C+D=
(Becoming) Segments A, B, C, D represent decreasing degrees of truth. Ea. Degree of truth
corresponds to different kind of thinking and different level of reality. (A) Level of pure intelligence
or understanding the soul directly apprehends truth at highest level. (B) Level of reasoning
specifically, mathematical thinking and deductive reasoning. (C) Level of belief or common
opinions about physical objects, morals, politics, and practical affairs. (D) Level of illusion,
dominated by second hand opinions and uncritical impressions. Plato states that The Form Human
does not change–grow–or decay. Aristotle a student of Plato's for twenty years disagreed with Plato's
views. His basic

Essay on Plato's Symposium
Though not as philosophical as many of Plato's other works, The Symposium gives a greater in
depth account and characterization into the social life of the intellectual circles in Ancient Greece.
The eulogies from each of the philosophers at the discussion examine the origins and theories of
love in its many forms. Several of the theories and themes discussed in The Symposium are repeated
as well as contrasted by each of the orators. The themes of physical love and lust, and reproduction
are most notably discussed and compared within each speech.
The ideas of physical love, or the lusting for body rather than mind, are discussed within the
speakers and related to their own physical loves as compared to their intellectual loves....show more
content...
In Agathon's eulogy, he praises the actual god that is Love, and speaks of the virtues of Love rather
than the natures. Within these virtues is moderation, and he states that "love has the biggest share
of moderation. It is generally agreed that moderation is the mastery of pleasures and desires, and
that no pleasure is stronger than Love...if Love masters pleasures and desires, he must be
exceptionally moderate," (30.196c). This continues further on the ideas of the pleasure received
purely from physical love are inferior and must be practiced in moderation. Socrates closes on the
discussion of physical love and lust in his discussion. He concludes that physical love is not love
at all because, "desire and love are directed at what you don't have, what isn't there, and what you
need," (35.200e). Since one can never be in the possession of love, then love can not be held in the
single physical act of lust and pleasure. Each orator discusses the inferiority of the purely physical
acts of love and as they continue, each discussion delves further into the inadequacy of love without
intellect.
As with the aspects of physical love and lust within humans, the ideas of reproduction permeate
throughout The Symposium. In Aristophanes' address, he discusses the history of love in the

Essay on Plato on Justice
Plato's interpretation of justice as seen in 'The Republic' is a vastly different one when compared
to what we and even the philosophers of his own time are accustomed to. Plato would say justice
is the act of carrying out one's duties as he is fitted with. Moreover, if one's duties require one to lie
or commit something else that is not traditionally viewed along with justice; that too is considered
just by Plato's accounts in 'The Republic.' I believe Plato's account of justice, and his likely defense
against objections are both clear and logical, thus I will endeavor to argue his views as best as I can.
Plato's view of justice ties in with his view of a perfect world. In Plato's ideal world, the society
would be a wise one, wise in...show more content...
Plato goes about this by explaining what justice is; justice has to do with doing what is right, and
there exists some specific virtue in everything, which enables it to work well. If it is deprived of
that nature, in contrast it would suffer. It is much the same with the soul, the soul must also perform
its specific virtue. The more virtuous, or 'just' a soul is, the happier the soul is. The happier the soul
is, the happier the person is. Therefore a just man lives happily and well, whereas an unjust man
would not. This argument follows the a=b b=c therefore a=c argument form.
Another objection, brought about by a radical and different theory of Justice is brought up by Plato
in a conversation between Socrates and Thrasymachus. In this argument Thrasymachus defines
justice as in the interest of the stronger. This basically means that justice belongs in the hands of
the rulers, and that the rulers are whoever is stronger, therefore getting to a ruling position. Laws
are then made, based on the ruling party's interest, and only theirs. Those who violate such created
laws, will get punished for breaking the law and so on and so forth. Socrates completely disagrees
with this theory of justice and gives the analogy of a physician who is studying and exercising his
power is in fact doing so in the interest of his patients, not himself. In

Essay about Plato
Plato was a philosopher and educator in ancient Greece. He was one of the most important thinkers
and writers in the history of Western culture. Plato was born in Athens into a family that was one of
the oldest and most distinguished in the city. His father Ariston died when Plato was only a child.
The name Plato was a nickname meaning broad shoulders. Plato's real name was Aristocles. Plato
had aspirations of becoming a politician, however these hopes were destroyed when his friend
Socrates was sentenced to death in 299 B.C. Extremely hurt Plato left Athens and traveled for
several years. In 387 B.C., Plato returned to Athens and founded a school of philosophy and science
that became known as the Academy. Topics such as astronomy,
...show more content...
Plato was interested in how we can apply a single word or concept to many words or things. For
example how can the word house be used for all the individual dwellings that are houses? Plato
answered that various things can be called by the same name because they have something in
common. He called this common factor the thing's form or idea. Plato insisted that the forms differ
greatly from the ordinary things that we see around us. Ordinary things change but their forms do
not. A particular triangle may be altered in size or shape but the form of a triangle can never
change. Plato concluded that forms exist neither in space or time. They can be known not only by
the intellect but also by the senses. Because of their stability and perfection, the forms have greater
reality than ordinary objects observed by the senses. Thus true knowledge is knowledge of the forms.
In his most well known work, The Republic, Plato states that in his view, only in a good society
can the good life be achieved. The Republic outlines Plato's idea of a perfect or utopian society. He
also identifies the four cardinal virtues that are required for a good society. These cardinal virtues
are temperance or self–control, courage, wisdom, and justice. Without these virtues he believed that
the good life could not be obtained. In The Republic Plato also discusses two different forms of

Plato Essay
Today many people regard Plato as the first genuine political philosopher and Aristotle as the first
political scientist. They were both great thinkers in regards to, in part with Socrates, being the
foundation of the great western philosophers. Plato and Aristotle each had ideas in how to proceed
with improving the society in which they were part of during their existence. It is necessary
therefore to analyze their different theoretical approaches regarding their philosophical perspectives,
such as ethics and psychology. This paper however will mainly concentrate on Aristotle's views on
friendship and how it impacts today's society.
The main objective in Plato's philosophy is a creation of a perfect society. He constructs a foundation
...show more content...
He felt that Plato's view of a strict overhaul of society in general wasn't necessary. He believed that
society was at its optimum and you can only improve upon the existing one.
Plato's perfect society would consist of three basic groups, which are Guardians (Gold), Auxiliaries
(Silver), and the Artisan (Bronze). The highest of these classes are the gold people, which consist of
rulers and non–rulers. Those that are rulers are society's decision & policy makers and
non–rulers occupy levels of civil servants. The fundamental prerequisite to becoming a genuine
philosopher is to have knowledge of forms, thus enabling you to know the truth. Plato's theory of the
forms is partly logical and part metaphysical. Armed with the truth, he believed that philosophical
ruler will always make the right decision, and rule with total wisdom, justice and virtue. The rulers,
he felt, wouldn't posses any money or property, they would be free of desires, excesses, and vices.
The Auxiliaries (Silver) are people of strength, courage, and military capacity; they occupy a small
sector of society. All auxiliaries would be subjected to a series of tests, which will check their
powers of resistance to self–interest, pleasure and other temptations. The last level, Artisan (Bronze),
are the workers which might be composed of farmers and artist, essentially non–skilled workers.
They would produce all the consumable and non–consumable goods deemed necessary for
consumption and the continued

Essay on Plato
Plato: The Life of Plato
Plato was born around 427 BC, in Athens Greece to rich and politically involved family. Plato's
parents spared no expense in educating him; he was taught at the finest schools. He was taught by
Socrates and defended Socrates when he was on trial. Plato traveled to Italy and may have even
visited Egypt before founding The Academy.Plato also visited Sicily and instructed a young king
there before returning to The Academy to teach for twenty years before his death in 347 BC at the
age of eighty.
Growing up Plato would have gone to best schools the area had to offer; his parents were rich there
were no limitations to what they could afford. Plato was taught by the best teachers available and
was a very skillful...show more content...
At a later date Plato wrote "The Apology" remembering this horrendous time and the conversations
as he and Socrates other students argued for Socrates life.
After Socrates death Plato and several of Socrates other students traveled to Megara where they
stayed for 9 years. He also traveled to Italy around 390 BC where he met Archytas of Tarentum
who introduced Plato to Pythagorenism. This helped form Plato's ideas that mathematics was the
truest way of expressing the universe. There are also rumors of Plato traveling to Egypt and
learning of the water clock but like all rumors it is not know for sure.
Plato founded The Academy in 387 BC; it was build on land that once belonged to a man named
Academos hence the name The Academy. Plato founded The Academy for the purpose of
teaching future leaders of Greece. The Academy had a gymnasium and several shrines on its large
lot of land. After founding The Academy Plato traveled to Sicily, came back taught for four years,
left for Sicily again, and then returned to The Academy to teach for twenty years. When Plato died
he was succeeded by his nephew, not by Aristotle, which was who most people thought the
successor would be. The Academy was eventually shut down in 529 AD, but it holds an immense
record, it was kept open for nine hundred years, a feat no other establishment of its kind can claim.
In 367 BC Dion, a student and good friend of Plato, requested Plato to come and

Essay On Plato

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Essay On Plato