Plato and His Philosophy

Introduction

• Athens 2,400 years ago
  • Population: ~250,000
  • Features: baths, theatres, temples, shopping arcades, gymnasiums
  • Climate: Warm more than half the year
• Home to Plato, a prominent philosopher
  • Devoted to eudaimonia (full-time fulfillment)
  • Often confused with Socrates, who taught Plato but wrote no books
  • Plato wrote 36 dialogues, featuring Socrates, including the Republic, Symposium, Laws, Meno, and Apology

Plato's Four Big Ideas

1. Think More

• Importance of thinking carefully and logically about life
• Critique of doxa (popular opinions) which are often wrong
• Emphasis on self-knowledge through philosophy
  • Avoid acting on impulse
  • Comparison of feelings to being dragged by wild horses
• Socratic discussion: Examination of ideas with oneself or another

2. Let Your Lover Change You

• True love is seen as admiration
  • Partner should have qualities you lack
  • Love involves growth and becoming better versions of oneself
  • Commitment to educate each other

3. Decode the Message of Beauty

• Questioning why we like beautiful things
  • Beautiful objects convey important truths about the good life
• Beauty educates the soul, ugliness parades dangerous characteristics
• Art as therapeutic; duty of artists to help lead good lives

4. Reform Society

• Focus on producing fulfilled people, not just military power
• Critique of Athenian focus on wealthy and celebrities
  • Need for new role models: guardians with public service, modesty, and experience
• Opposition to democracy as it exists, due to lack of rational thinking in voters
  • Suggestion to wait for voters to become philosophers
• Founded the Academy for education
  • Taught mathematics, spelling, ethics
  • Ultimate goal: Politicians as philosophers

Conclusion

• Aim for a society where philosophers rule, ensuring rational governance
• Plato's ideas influenced the development of Western philosophy