Cyber Day- March 6

Plato

Early life:

 Given the name Aristocles, Plato was born in 428 BCE in Athens. He grew up under the care of his mother and stepdad,  Pyrilampes. His real father died when he was young. His nickname Plato came from the word Platon, meaning "board"because he had a board body structure. At a young age he started studying music and poetry in various schools.  When he meet Socrates, he knew was going to be his mentor and guide him in his studies. This early education would be the basis of his contributions in philosophy.  In 409 BC to 404 BC,  Plato joined the military. After his service, he became a member of the Athenian oligarchy. Fighting in the war and being a ruler of the city was to much violence for him so he resigned his position. When terms where better in Athenian government, he hoped to continue his political career, but the execution of Socrates in 399 BC changed his mind from being a leader to leaving Athens.

Socratic Dialogues:

  For the next twelve years, Plato would travel to places like Italy and Egypt, studying religion, geometry, and astronomy. He wrote down his findings and teachings of Socrates in works that are called the Socratic Dialogues. Apology, Crito, Laches, and Major are just a few of the numerous works he wrote during this time period. He returned to Athens in 387 BC where he founded the first European university. The Academy offered astronomy, biology, mathematics, political theory, and philosophy. Plato hoped it would allow thinkers to come together and work toward a better government in Greek cities.

"Middle" or Transitional Period:

  From 387 to 361 BC is known as Plato's "middle" or transitional period. During this stage of his life, he composed Meno, Euthydemus, Menexenus, Phaedrus, and many other books. The difference between these books and his earlier ones are these ones start to contain his own opinion on philosophy. Also, Socrates is still mentioned in them, but as a fictional character. Finally, they discuss  his method of hypothesis. Plato's most influential work, Republic, was written when he was in his middle ages. The book explains the virtues of justice, courage, and wisdom. It also gives directions on how to live a good life and what the afterlife is like. The book then goes on to talk about the education of citizens, the formation of the government, and the soul's nature. Overall the book contains almost all the thoughts and opinions of Plato.

 Mentor:

   In 367 BC, Plato was asked to be a personal teacher to Dionysus II, who was the current ruler of Syracuse.  Plato accepted the position, but was disappointed when it wasn't in philosophy. He taught the leader until 365 BC when he had to go to battle. Plato returned to Athens around the time Aristotle was studying at the Academy. In 361 BC he returned to Syracuse. This time he had a even worse time teaching Dionysus II. He left as soon as possible and spent the rest of his life writing at the Academy.

Later Dialogues:

  His finally years at the Academy is when he wrote the Later Dialogues. They included Parmenides, Theatetus, Timaeus, Critias. Socrates played a minor role throughout the works. The focus was art, dance, music, poetry, architecture, and drama. In conclusion, they wrap up all of Plato's thoughts in the philosophy of mathematics, politics, and religion.

Impact:

 Plato died in 347 BC. He left the Academy in the ownership of his sister's son Speusippus. The Academy was a school for those of higher learning. The university was closed in 529 CE by the Emperor Justinian. Plato influenced the education theory, especially in the importance of mathematics, and areas in logic and philosophy.