Plato: statements that everyone should hear

"Hopes - dreams of the waking ..." It is interesting that Plato - the first philosopher, whose works have survived until our time, not only in the quoted excerpts, but also completely. Plato, whose utterances are full of wisdom and reason, was not in vain a disciple of Socrates.

Biography

It is difficult to name the exact date of birth of the ancient Greek philosopher, but the researchers converge on the period 428-427 BC. E., just in the midst of the Peloponnesian War. It is believed that Plato, whose utterances are quoted throughout the world, was born not on a normal day, but on the birthday of the god Apollo (according to mythology). Plato was born into an aristocratic family, whose roots ascended to the kings of Attica. Some late-antique researchers of philosophy wrote that the boy was conceived without blemish.

His first teacher was Cratylus, but soon there was an acquaintance with Socrates, who became a key figure for the world view of Plato. Socrates is found in almost all of the author's writings, which are written in the form of a dialogue between real or imaginary people. When his teacher died, the philosopher went on a journey. In Sicily, he tried to create an ideal state, which is ruled only by the wise, but the attempt was not crowned with success. Soon Plato returned to Athens and founded a school - the Academy. According to legend, the thinker died on his birthday, and was buried in the Academy. He is buried under the name of Aristocles ("the best glory"), which allegedly is his real name.

Works

What did Plato write about? The Ancient Greek philosopher wrote many works that were combined into the "Platonic Corps". The collection contains in itself all the records that are associated with the name of the philosopher from the time of antiquity. Plato himself did not specialize in the systematization of his works, for him it was done by Aristophanes of Byzantium and Trassillus. Modern writings of the ancient Greek philosopher were adapted for readers by Henri Etienne - the French philologist Hellenist of the 16th century.

Ontology

Plato, whose statements are applicable to many spheres of life, was the founder and supporter of the idealistic trend. What does it mean? This means that a person can really exist only through ideas (eidos). The researchers came to the conclusion that the philosopher, by ideas, means not only the concept, but also its purpose and cause of existence. He criticizes the theory of dualism of all things, saying that everything in the world is interconnected.

Plato pays much attention to the idea of a good, which is not pleasure or utility, but is a blessing in fact. This concept he likens the Sun, which is the highest cognizable good.

Plato's statements about the state

The idea of the state is based on three main "whales": rulers-philosophers, soldiers and workers. The main idea is that the state should be stable. This can be achieved only when the people are governed by the council of wise philosophers, the territory of the state is protected from possible encroachments by a strong army, and this is served by all ordinary people. This division of responsibilities, according to Plato, is the most rational and correct. Despite the fact that the ideas are considered very worthy for their time, the philosopher believes that the happiness of an individual does not play a big role for the happiness of the whole policy. And despite this, he writes: "Taking care of the happiness of others, we gain our own" and "How many slaves, so many enemies."

What else does Plato know? Ancient Greek philosopher developed a model of an ideal system:

• 4 estate, which is divided according to the property status;
• The most complicated administrative system;
• Allowed money, personal property and the creation of families by people from different classes;
• Strict regulation of all spheres of society by the state.

Plato's statements about life

As it was said before, the meaning of a person's life should consist in cognition. At the same time, it should not be concrete and practical, but more abstract, existing for oneself. 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: by reason, fury and passion. The mind seeks knowledge and conscious activity. A violent beginning forces us to overcome difficulties and achieve the desired. The passionate beginning is most destructive to the soul, as manifested in endless desires: "The development of cheerfulness largely depends on cheerful, but innocent games."

Paying much attention to the physical life, the philosopher also reflects on the soul. He gives four arguments in favor of the fact that the soul of man is immortal. He believes that after death, our soul continues to exist in another dimension.

About a human

Plato's famous statements about a man often refer to the soul - eternal and one. It is she who craves knowledge, and "demands" them from man: "Man is a wingless, bipedal creature with flat nails, which is susceptible to knowledge." The philosopher recognizes the dualistic essence of the human soul, that is, two opposing principles. In this case, it is the will of the person who determines the "winner". The greatest contempt deserves a man who is mired in superstition.

Summarizing the results of this article, I want to say that many of Plato's statements are relevant to this day. For example, it is: "A good start is already half the battle."

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 destiny of man.