“Hopes are the dreams of those who are awake…” Interestingly, Plato is the first philosopher whose works have survived to our time not only in quoted passages, but in their entirety. Plato, whose statements are full of wisdom and reason, was not in vain a student of Socrates.
Biography
It is difficult to name the exact date of birth of the ancient Greek philosopher, but researchers agree on the period 428-427 BC. e., just in the midst of the Peloponnesian War. It is believed that Plato, whose statements are quoted by the whole world, was born not on an ordinary day, but on the birthday of the god Apollo (according to mythology). Plato was born into an aristocratic family whose roots date back to the kings of Attica. Some late antique philosophers wrote that the boy was conceived immaculately.
His first teacher was Cratylus, but soon he met Socrates, who became a key figure for Plato's worldview. Socrates is found in almost all the writings of the author, which are written in the form of a dialogue between real or fictional people. When his teacher died, the philosopher went on a journey. In Sicily, he tried to create an ideal state ruled only by the wise, butthe attempt was unsuccessful. Soon Plato returned to Athens and founded a school - the Academy. According to legend, the thinker died on his birthday and was buried at the Academy. He is buried under the name Aristocles ("the best fame"), which is allegedly his real name.
Artworks
What did Plato write about? The ancient Greek philosopher wrote many works that were combined into the Platonic Corpus. The collection contains all the records that are associated with the name of the philosopher since antiquity. Plato himself was not engaged in a special systematization of his works; Aristophanes of Byzantium and Thrasyll did it for him. The modern writings of the ancient Greek philosopher have been adapted for readers by Henri Etienne, a 16th-century French Hellenistic philologist.
Ontology
Plato, whose statements are applicable to many areas of life, was the founder and supporter of the idealistic direction. What does it mean? This means that a person can really exist only through ideas (eidos). The researchers came to the conclusion that under ideas a philosopher means not only a concept, but also its purpose and reason for existence. He criticizes the theory of the dualism of everything, saying that everything in the world is interconnected.
Plato pays great attention to the idea of a good, which is not pleasure or utility, but is a good in essence. He likens this concept to the Sun, which is the highest knowable good.
Plato's statements about the state
The idea of the stateis based on three main "pillars": rulers-philosophers, warriors and workers. The main idea is that the state must be stable. This can be achieved only when the people are ruled by a council of wise philosophers, the territory of the state is protected from possible encroachments by a strong army, and all this is served by ordinary people. Such a division of duties, according to Plato, is the most rational and correct. Despite the fact that the ideas are recognized as very worthy for their time, the philosopher nevertheless believes that the happiness of an individual does not play a big role in the happiness of the entire policy. And despite this, he writes: “Caring for the happiness of others, we find our own” and “How many slaves, so many enemies.”
What else is Plato known for? The ancient Greek philosopher developed a model of the ideal system:
- 4 estates, which are divided according to property status;
- the most complex management system;
- money, personal property and the creation of families by people from different classes are allowed;
- strict regulation by the state of all spheres of society.
Plato's sayings about life
As mentioned earlier, the meaning of human life should be in knowledge. At the same time, it should not be concrete and practical, but more abstract, existing for itself. That is why the life of a philosopher is the highest good.
The thinker believes that a person's life is dictated by his three principles: reason, rage and passion. Intelligencestrives for knowledge and conscious activity. A fierce start forces us to overcome difficulties and achieve what we want. The passionate beginning is the most destructive for the soul, as it manifests itself in endless desires: “The development of cheerfulness largely depends on fun, but innocent games.”
Paying great attention to physical life, the philosopher also reflects on the soul. He gives 4 arguments in favor of the fact that the human soul is immortal. He believes that after death our soul continues to exist in another dimension.
About the person
Plato's well-known sayings about man very often concern the soul - eternal and one. It is she who craves knowledge, and “requires” them from a person: “Man is a wingless, two-legged creature with flat nails, which is receptive to knowledge.” The philosopher recognizes the dualistic essence of the human soul, that is, two opposing principles. At the same time, it is the will of man that determines the “winner”. The person who is steeped in superstition deserves the greatest contempt.
Summing up this article, I would like to say that many of Plato's statements are relevant to this day. For example, this: “A good start is half done.”
Indeed, sometimes a person should turn to his inner voice, and not rant about the fact that life is gray, dull and dreary. Plato, whose statements help to look at many things differently, believed that it was the will that determines the fate of a person.
