Philosophy - Plato
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.
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In 387 B.C. Plato founded the Academy in Athens otherwise known as the first European
university. The Academy provided a wide range of curriculum including subjects such as
astronomy, biology, philosophy, political theory, and mathematics. Aristotle was the Academy's
most outstanding student. (Internet)
The internal affairs of the academy ruled the next 20 years of Plato's life and he wrote
nothing. Many Greek youths were attracted to the new school. Plato then went to Syracuse to
supervise the education of the ruling prince. Plato was not certain about the success of this
adventure although he felt he could not refuse this opportunity of putting his ideas to a test. It
did not work out for Plato and he returned to Athens in 360 B.C. He then devoted himself to
teaching and lecturing at the Academy. He died at age 80 in Athens in 348 B.C. Before his
death Plato completed the Sophist, the Politicus, the Philebus, the Timaeus and finally the Laws.
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DIALOGUES
The Symposium is the most widely read of Plato's dialogues with the exception of the
Republic and it is with good reason. It's literary merit is outstanding with philosophical and
psychological sources (Allen)
ANAYA--2
THE EARLY DIALOGUES
In the...
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