Plato Flashcards
(21 cards)
Of which forms of philosophy was Plato the innovator?
Dialogue and dialectic
Describe Plato’s early life.
He came from a wealthy and politically active family. He was bright and studious. He received a good education from distinguished teachers
Who were Plato’s parents?
Ariston and Peridtione, who’s family was linked to Solon.
Who are Plato’s brothers?
Glaucon and Adeimantus who appear in the Republic, and his half-brother Antiphon who appears in Parmenides.
Who were Critias and Charmides?
Plato’s maternal uncles who were among the thirty tyrants who ruled in Athens from Pericles death til the restoration of democracy
Who was the main character in most of Plato’s work?
His teacher, the philosopher Socrates
What was Socrates’ style of philosophy?
He would pose people questions asking them to define a concept and then deconstruct their answer eg ‘what is justice’ in the republic
What happened in 399 BC?
Socrates was put to death for impiety and corrupting the youth
Why may Plato have been wary of entering public life as someone of his background usually would have done?
Because of how Socrates was treated
After Socrates’ death, what did Plato do?
He travelled extensively around Greece, Italy and Egypt. Followers of Pythagoras influenced his politics program. He visited Syracuse in Sicily and became attached to Dion.
What was Plato’s relationship with Dionysus the younger?
Plato tried to train him to be the philosopher King, an ideal deathbed in the republic but this was not a success. Dion was killed in the ensuing instability.
What was Plato’s academy?
Founded in the 380s, it was the ancestor of the modern university, a centre of research and learning. Mathematics was important. Aristotle was a member among others.
What, for Plato, was the purpose of philosophy?
To instruct on how to lead a good life.
What is the benefit of the dialogue form?
It engages the reader and Spurs the reader to philosophical activity.
Name some of Plato’s works.
Republic (380BC), symposium, apology, Phaedrus, Phaedo, laws, meno… Etc
Give the dates of Plato’s life.
428/7 BBC
DIED 348/7 BC
What are Plato’s early writings?
They were written during his travels and focus on Socrates eg the Apology.
In Plato’s middle period of writing, what did he write?
Plato wrote on ideas like justice, wisdom and courage. The Republic was written in this time.
In the third or late period of Plato’s work, what did he write?
In these works Socrates is relegated to a minor role and he examines his early metaphysical ideas eg in his writing on the theory of forms.
What branches of philosophy did Plato cover?
Ethics, moral philosophy, epistemology, and metaphysics
What branches of philosophy did Plato cover?
Ethics, moral philosophy, epistemology, and metaphysics
