Plato (427 B.C. to 347 B.C.) was a Greek philosopher from Athens. He is widely considered as the
pivotal figure in the history of Ancient Greek and Western philosophy.
Plato was the disciple of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle.
Plato has been generally regarded as the founder of philosophical idealism. He is also regarded as
the “Father of Political Philosophy”. Plato introduced dialectic forms in philosophy.
Plato witnessed the most troubled period of Greek history. In the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC),
Athens was defeated by Spartans. Further, his teacher Socrates was executed by the reactionaries.
These developments made Plato to be a strong critic of democracy and termed it as ‘rule of
ignorance’. Therefore Plato desired to create an ideal state ruled by a philosopher king.
Plato belonged to the school of idealism which believes that human idea creates and determines
the material and not vice versa.
WORKS OF PLATO
Plato’s philosophies are included in his notable works:
- ‘The Republic’
- ‘The Laws’
- ‘The Statesman’
INFLUENCES ON PLATO
Plato’s thoughts were greatly influenced by his contemporary intellectuals and particularly by his
predecessors like Pythagoras, Parmenides, Heraclitus and Socrates.
Pythagoras – Plato was influenced by Pythagoras’s teaching that wisdom is the
contemplation of spirit and idea is the chief essence behind all material things and forms
Heraclitus – Plato was influenced by Heraclitus’s view that life is a continuous change and
nothing is permanent in the world.
Parmenides – From Parmenides Plato learnt that change and motivation are illusions of the
senses and reality is eternal
Socrates – He was the greatest influence on Plato. The execution of his teacher Socrates
was a shock to Plato which made him lose faith in democracy. Plato borrowed the basic
ideas of theory of knowledge from Socrates.
THEORIES OF PLATO
Some of the major theories propounded by Plato are as follows:
- Theory of Ideas
- Theory of Justice
- Scheme of Education
- Communism of Wives and Property
- Theory of Philosopher King
- Views on laws
IMPORTANT QUOTES of PLATO
- “Until philosophers are kings or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power
- of philosophy, cities will never rest from their evils.” – PLATO
- “Reality is a shadow of ideas”. – PLATO
- “No law or ordinance is mightier than the knowledge”.- PLATO
- “The State is individual writ large”. – PLATO
- “It is easier to read a magnified letter”. – PLATO
- “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say
- something.” – PLATO
- “Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts
- and souls of the citizens” – PLATO
- “Democracy… is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder; and dispensing
- a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.” – PLATO
- “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed
- by your inferiors.” – PLATO
