Plato, the pupil of the famous contributor to philosophical thought, Socrates, has forever changed the intellectual field of philosophy by his pursuits, teachings and writings (Aspell 407). His life, influences, contributions, achievements are of worthy note and will be explored in this biography. Before we get into his role as a philosopher we must first understand the context behind such a great thinker. Plato was born in Athens in the year 428 B.C. (Sproul loc. 412). Named Aristocles after his grandfather, but was later given the name Plato because of his physique (Aspell 407). Plato’s father was a descendent of the early kings of Athens making him a member of the Athenian aristocracy (Sproul loc. 418). This key background helped lead him
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At the Academy Plato promoted philosophy and science. He also made attempts to vicariously change the political atmosphere of Athens and other locations such as Siciliy and Syracuse (Aspell 407). Plato eventually met his demise at the age of eighty years old in the year 347 BCE (Sproul loc. 412). Now we need to know the influences that shaped Plato.
Socrates was Plato’s well-known mentor who passed on a great deal of philosophical ideology to him before the end of his own life (Aspell 407). Socrates taught Plato his thoughts on the soul and immortality to the point that Plato wrote in Phaedo that they shouldn’t speak of burying Socrates, but of “burying his body: he wont die, since he is his soul, and it is immortal” (Plato Phaedo 62).
Socrates also taught Plato his opinion on democracy and its downfalls (Fine 38). Socrates gave the statement “it is by knowledge that I think one must make decisions, not by the greater number, if one intends to decide well” (Plato Laches). In Crito, Socrates tells a friend not to care what the many think of them because they should only value the opinion of the wise (Plato). It is clear that Socrates taught Plato to not put any weight behind the democratic political system (Fine …show more content…
418). The Academy was located in a grove of olive trees, which lead to it being referred to as the “groves of Academe” (Sproul, loc. 418). Plato even posted a sign above it’s entrance that read “Let none but geometers enter here” (Sproul, loc. 418). Although this implied that the school only taught mathematics, the truth was that Plato’s real passion lay in the field of philosophy (Sproul, loc. 418). His work in philosophy was a major inspiration for his star pupil
At the Academy Plato promoted philosophy and science. He also made attempts to vicariously change the political atmosphere of Athens and other locations such as Siciliy and Syracuse (Aspell 407). Plato eventually met his demise at the age of eighty years old in the year 347 BCE (Sproul loc. 412). Now we need to know the influences that shaped Plato.
Socrates was Plato’s well-known mentor who passed on a great deal of philosophical ideology to him before the end of his own life (Aspell 407). Socrates taught Plato his thoughts on the soul and immortality to the point that Plato wrote in Phaedo that they shouldn’t speak of burying Socrates, but of “burying his body: he wont die, since he is his soul, and it is immortal” (Plato Phaedo 62).
Socrates also taught Plato his opinion on democracy and its downfalls (Fine 38). Socrates gave the statement “it is by knowledge that I think one must make decisions, not by the greater number, if one intends to decide well” (Plato Laches). In Crito, Socrates tells a friend not to care what the many think of them because they should only value the opinion of the wise (Plato). It is clear that Socrates taught Plato to not put any weight behind the democratic political system (Fine …show more content…
418). The Academy was located in a grove of olive trees, which lead to it being referred to as the “groves of Academe” (Sproul, loc. 418). Plato even posted a sign above it’s entrance that read “Let none but geometers enter here” (Sproul, loc. 418). Although this implied that the school only taught mathematics, the truth was that Plato’s real passion lay in the field of philosophy (Sproul, loc. 418). His work in philosophy was a major inspiration for his star pupil