Plato

1. Plato By Lidia Buckovic Period 2

2. Basic Information Plato was born in 327 B.C.E. in Athens. He was from an upper-class family and a pupil of Socrates. During the war of 405 B.C.E., it is thought that he was a cavalryman, as were most other young upperclassmen. Plato Socrates

3. The Academy He influenced the world with his writings and ideas, as well as through his university, the Academy. The Academy was founded in 405 B.C.E. and continued to be used centuries after his death, until it was closed in 529 A.D. by the Christian emperor Justinian.

4. Plato and Mathematics Many of Plato’s theories revolved around mathematics, namely geometry. Mathematics proved his theories in some cases and were an essential part to understanding his world. He understood the significance of mathematics and had a sign above the entrance to his school saying, “Let no one ignorant of mathematics enter here.”

5. Forms He also believed that everything was an imperfect copy of a single, perfect ‘Form’. An example would be that all giraffes we see now are imperfect copies of a single perfect giraffe. The trouble with this idea, however, was that he could not describe or define what the perfect form would be.

6. Definitions Plato believed that in order for one to be a certain thing, one must know the definition of the thing and then apply it to his actions. He spent much time trying to define ‘loyalty’ and other such traits, in an attempt to understand better what he must do to be ‘loyal’.

7. Perfect Society He wrote about the ideal way a society should function, in which the people were ruled by a group of ‘Guardians’ who had been educated in the higher degrees of mathematics and could make the appropriate decisions regardless of the circumstances. Below the Guardians were the Silver people, who were comprised of the upper classes. Further below them were the Iron and Copper people, who were the middle class and peasants.

8. Ethics and Morals Plato believed the people were meant to do good and be generous. He thought that everyone’s first response to a problem was the one that would most positively affect both parties, or the ‘just’ and ‘fair’ decision.

9. Sophists In contrast to Plato’s beliefs, Sophists thought that it was natural to be greedy and justified their actions with that statement. They sold their knowledge to young aristocrats and taught them how to debate cleverly. Plato disliked them for this fact and often wrote his dialogues as arguments against them.

10. Works Cited Plato. 01 Sep. 2004. Art Resource. eLibrary. Web. 20 May. 2010. Luna Marble Head of Plato, Roman, 1st century AD. 01 Oct. 2004. Bridgeman. eLibrary. Web. 20 May. 2010. Bar, Alexandre de (1821-1901) (after). Plato (c.427-c.348 BC) and his Disciples in the Garden of the Academy, from 'La Vie des Savants Illustres' by Louis Figuier, engraved by Laplante, c.1870. 01 Oct. 2004. Bridgeman. eLibrary. Web. 20 May. 2010. Portrait bust of Socrates (469-339 BC), copy of Greek early 4th century BC original. 01 Oct. 2004. Bridgeman. eLibrary. Web. 20 May. 2010.