Greece’s Geography: Greece like a “skeleton hand” into the Mediterranean Sea.
South: Island of Crete – early capture of civilization and culture.
East: Asia Minor (now Turkey) – once industrious and speculative.
West: Sicily and Spain – thriving Greek colonies.
North: Thessaly and Macedonia – home of Homeric and Periclean Greeks.
Natural Fragmentation: Mountains, hills, gulfs, and bays isolated Greek city-states with self-sufficient economies, sovereign governments, and individual cultures.
Athens' Strategic Position
Location: Easternmost large city, gateway to Asia Minor.
Port of Piraeus: Key maritime hub.
Persian Wars: Athens and Sparta’s coalition against Persia (490-470 BC).
Post-War Development: Sparta demobilized; Athens expanded navy into a commercial fleet and economic powerhouse.
Rise of Skepticism: Diverse populations in Athens led to skepticism of religious and political dogmas.
Growth of Science: Mathematics and astronomy developed alongside commerce and navigation.
Philosophical Context Before Plato
Democritus’s Materialism: “Nothing but atoms in space.” Materialism declined but re-emerged with Epicurus and Lucretius.
Sophists: Traveling teachers like Protagoras questioned traditional beliefs and emphasized human thought over material world.
Socrates' Influence on Plato
Socrates’ Method: Questioned definitions, assumptions about morality, justice, and governance.
Trial and Execution: Socrates accused of corrupting youth and defying gods; sentenced to drink hemlock.
Plato’s Disillusionment: Dismissal of Athenian democracy; believed in rule by philosophers or elite.
Plato’s Travels and Philosophical Development
Egypt: Learned from priests; saw Greece as culturally immature.
Italy and Sicily: Influenced by Pythagoras’s school and community ideals.
Formation of Ideas: After 12 years, developed broad, mature perspectives, blending philosophy and poetry.
Plato’s Dialogues and Major Themes
Republic: Plato’s most comprehensive work.
Justice Defined: Individuals doing what they are best suited for.
Ideal State: Rulers (philosopher-kings) educated from youth, universal education, and a class system based on ability.
Communism Among Rulers: Shared property and family to prevent corruption and ensure loyalty to the community.
Eugenics: Selective breeding for optimal population.
War and Peace: Advocated for a strong but ethical defense system.
Religion: God and immortality as moral foundations.
Practical Applications: Recognized democracy but suggested training and selection for political office.
Criticisms: Not highly rated in practicality but influential in formulating theories on governance and ethics.
Conclusion
Plato’s Legacy: Amid criticism, his ideal society remains a fascinating and influential thought experiment in philosophy and political theory.
Influence on Medieval and Modern Thought: Catholic Church, Jesuits in Paraguay, and Communist system in Russia drew inspiration from Platonic ideas.
Final Years: Continued to teach and write until his peaceful death at age 80.