The Philosophy Of Plato

Summary

This video script delves into the life and philosophy of Plato, a pivotal figure in ancient Greece. It explores his educational background, the influence of Socrates, and his establishment of The Academy. The script examines Plato's political vision in 'The Republic,' where he outlines an ideal state based on individual virtues and a structured educational system to cultivate philosopher-kings. It also touches on his metaphysical theories, particularly the doctrine of forms, and the allegory of the cave, offering a comprehensive view of his contributions to ethics and metaphysics.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Plato is considered a defining voice of the Periclean age in Greece, with his philosophical works still influencing thought today.
• 📜 Born as Aristocles, Plato later acquired the name due to his physical stature, and was known for his athletic prowess before turning to philosophy.
• 🏛 After Socrates' death, Plato traveled extensively, possibly visiting Egypt, Italy, Judea, and India, before returning to Athens to establish The Academy.
• 🛣 Influenced by Socrates' fate, Plato developed a disdain for democracy and envisioned an ideal state governed by philosopher kings chosen through meritocracy.
• 🏙️ In 'The Republic,' Plato outlines the concept of an ideal state where individuals are assigned roles based on their natural aptitudes and virtues.
• 🧐 Plato believed that human behavior stems from three sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge, which determine an individual's societal role.
• 📚 Plato advocated for an egalitarian educational system to identify and cultivate future rulers, emphasizing the importance of philosophy and practical experience.
• 🌐 He proposed a rigorous selection process for rulers, starting with education and culminating in life experience, to ensure the best were chosen to govern.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about the practicality of Plato's ideal state, suggesting that while it may not be achievable, it offers valuable insights for governance.
• 📖 Plato's 'The Republic' also delves into the nature of justice, defining it as individuals performing their own tasks and contributing to a harmonious society.
• 🧬 The script touches on the evolution of Plato's ethical views, suggesting that they may have changed over time, reflecting different interpretations of his works.

Q & A

Who is considered the resounding voice of Periclean Greece according to the script?

Plato is considered the resounding voice of Periclean Greece.

What significant contribution did Plato make to philosophy?

Plato brought philosophy out of the academic dark corner, making it accessible to the common man.

What was Plato's birth name, and how did he get the name 'Plato'?

Plato's birth name was Aristocles. He got the name 'Plato' later in life, possibly due to his unusually wide chest, shoulders, or forehead.

What was the name of the organized school Plato established in Athens?

Plato established The Academy, one of the earliest known organized schools in Western civilization.

What event in Plato's life influenced his views on democracy and the ideal state?

The execution of his master, Socrates, influenced Plato's views on democracy and inspired his desire to create the ideal state.

In Plato's 'The Republic', what is the primary reason he believes ideal states have not come into existence?

Plato believed that human nature, characterized by excess greed and ambition, prevents the establishment of an ideal state.

What are the three main sources of human behavior according to Plato?

According to Plato, human behavior originates from desire, emotion, and knowledge.

What is the role of the individuals driven by desire in Plato's ideal state?

Individuals driven by desire are best fit to be the producers of society, such as farmers, businessmen, and merchants.

How does Plato define justice in the context of his society?

Plato defines justice as 'the having and doing what is one’s own,' meaning each individual performing the tasks best suited to their nature.

What is the doctrine of ideas or theory of forms as presented by Plato?

The doctrine of ideas, or theory of forms, is Plato's explanation of the duality of the universe, distinguishing between the physical realm perceived by senses and the realm of forms conceived by reason and thought.

What is the significance of the allegory of the cave in Plato's 'The Republic'?

The allegory of the cave illustrates the philosopher's journey to look beyond subjective reality and seek objective truth.

What does the sign above the door of The Academy suggest about the importance of geometry?

The sign 'let no man ignorant of Geometry enter here' suggests that geometry is fundamental knowledge required for understanding the eternal realm and the laws governing it.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Life and Philosophy of Plato

This paragraph introduces Plato as the defining figure of Periclean Greece, emphasizing his profound influence on philosophy. Born in Athens around 428 B.C.E., Plato, originally named Aristocles, was known for his athletic prowess before turning to philosophy under Socrates' mentorship. After Socrates' death, Plato traveled extensively, possibly visiting Egypt, Italy, Judea, and India. At 40, he returned to Athens to establish The Academy, an early organized school, and wrote his famous dialogues. Plato's work reflects his disdain for democracy and his vision for an ideal state, as outlined in 'The Republic.' He believed in understanding human nature to build a Utopia and identified three sources of human behavior: desire, emotion, and knowledge.

05:01

🏛 Plato's Ideal State and Education System

Plato's vision for an ideal state is explored in this paragraph, where he proposes a system that assigns individuals to roles based on their natural dispositions. He outlines a rigorous educational and selection process to identify and train future rulers, or 'guardians.' This process begins with equal educational opportunities for all children, emphasizing physical and musical education, followed by moral instruction. At age 20, individuals face their first examination; those who pass continue their education, while those who fail become producers. At 30, a second examination determines who becomes auxiliaries. The remaining individuals study philosophy for five years, then undergo a 15-year practical education before potentially becoming rulers at 50. Plato believed this system would eliminate social discrimination and prevent the election of unqualified individuals to public office.

10:03

🌟 Plato's Ethics and Metaphysics

The final paragraph delves into Plato's ethical and metaphysical views. He defines justice as each individual performing their own role effectively, contributing to the harmony of the whole society. Plato's ethics are contrasted with those of Jesus and Nietzsche, highlighting his focus on the virtue-based eudaemonistic conception of ethics, which emphasizes happiness and virtues. The paragraph also discusses the varying interpretations of Plato's works, including the Unitarian, revisionist, and Developmentalist views. Plato's metaphysics are introduced through his doctrine of ideas or forms, which posits a duality between the physical realm and the realm of forms, where eternal and unchanging ideas exist. The allegory of the cave is mentioned as a metaphor for the philosopher's quest for objective truth beyond subjective reality.

Keywords

💡Periclean Greece

Periclean Greece refers to the golden age of Athens under the leadership of Pericles, a period known for its cultural and political advancements. In the video, it sets the stage for discussing Plato, who was a prominent philosopher during this era, indicating the significance of his work in the broader context of Greek history and culture.

💡Plato

Plato is a seminal figure in philosophy, known for his foundational works that have influenced Western thought for centuries. The video script discusses his life, his philosophical contributions, and his establishment of the Academy, emphasizing his enduring impact on philosophy and education.

💡Dialectics

Dialectics is a method of argument for resolving disagreement through dialogue, which involves the art of critical discussion. In the script, it is mentioned that Plato was introduced to this method through Socrates, which became a cornerstone of his philosophical approach and is evident in his famous dialogues.

💡The Academy

The Academy was the first higher learning institution in the Western world, founded by Plato. The script highlights its significance as a place where Plato wrote his famous dialogues, which have been instrumental in shaping philosophical discourse for millennia.

💡The Republic

The Republic is one of Plato's most renowned works, where he outlines his vision for an ideal state. The video discusses this work as a central piece of Plato's political philosophy, illustrating his belief in governance by philosopher-kings and the concept of justice within a state.

💡Metaphysics

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including the nature of reality. The script touches on Plato's metaphysics through his doctrine of ideas or theory of forms, which posits that there is a higher, unchanging reality beyond the physical world.

💡Theory of Forms

The Theory of Forms, also known as the doctrine of ideas, is a key concept in Plato's philosophy. It suggests that non-material abstract forms (or ideas) possess the highest and most fundamental kind of reality. The script uses the example of a dog to illustrate how the 'idea' of a dog is an unchanging form that all dogs share.

💡Allegory of the Cave

The Allegory of the Cave is a famous metaphor used by Plato to illustrate the process of intellectual and spiritual awakening. The script mentions this allegory as a way to convey the philosopher's journey from the shadows of ignorance to the light of truth and understanding.

💡Eudaemonistic

Eudaemonistic ethics is a virtue-based approach that focuses on happiness and the virtues that contribute to its attainment. The script refers to this concept when discussing Plato's ethical views, suggesting that he believed in a moral society that achieves harmony and happiness through the practice of virtues.

💡Justice

Justice is a central theme in the video and in Plato's philosophy. It is defined by Plato as 'the having and doing what is one's own,' meaning that each individual should perform the role for which they are best suited. The script uses this concept to explore the ethical dimensions of Plato's thought and his vision for an ideal society.

💡Philosopher Kings

Philosopher Kings is a concept introduced by Plato in The Republic, where he suggests that the most enlightened and wise individuals, those who understand the forms and the true nature of reality, should rule. The script discusses this as Plato's ideal for governance, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in leadership.

Highlights

Plato's work brought philosophy to the common man, allowing them to engage with intellectual ideas.

Plato, born as Aristocles, was later nicknamed Plato due to his physical stature.

Plato was an accomplished athlete, having won medals at the Isthmian games.

His introduction to dialectics and philosophy came through his mentorship with Socrates.

Plato's travels after Socrates' death are speculated to include Egypt, Italy, Judea, and India.

Upon returning to Athens, Plato founded The Academy, one of the earliest organized schools in Western civilization.

Plato's 'The Republic' outlines his vision for an ideal state governed by philosopher kings.

Human nature, characterized by greed and ambition, is seen as a barrier to creating an ideal state.

Plato's theory of forms posits a separate, eternal realm of abstract entities beyond the physical world.

The allegory of the cave illustrates the philosopher's quest for objective truth beyond subjective reality.

Plato's ethical view emphasizes justice as each individual fulfilling their proper role in society.

Plato's educational system aimed at complete equality, with no barriers based on class, race, or gender.

His method of selecting rulers involved a rigorous process of education and examination.

Plato's metaphysics suggests that the physical world is an imitation of the realm of forms.

The sign above The Academy's door, 'let no man ignorant of Geometry enter here,' reflects Plato's emphasis on rational knowledge.

Plato's ethical ideals are subject to various interpretations, with scholars debating their consistency over time.

Plato's conception of ethics is rooted in a virtue-based eudaemonistic approach, focusing on happiness and virtues.

The video promises a separate exploration of Plato's ethics due to the complexity of the subject.

Transcripts

Throughout history each era has had within it a resounding voice;

a figure who embodies the very essence of that age.

And when we look back to the vibrancy of Periclean Greece

we can say without doubt that it is Plato who we hear.

It was his work that brought philosophy

out of the dark corner of academia where the common man,

if he so choose,

could laze in its light.

Even now, roughly 2000 years after his death,

there are still countless students enveloped in the radiance of his thought.

So let us step into the light and discover Plato.

If we are to believe the accounts of Diogenes Laertius we can say that he was born in Athens during the 88th Olympiad,

approximately 428 B.C.E.

It is thought that at birth his given name was Aristocles,

the moniker Plato would only come later on as a result of his unusually wide chest and shoulders,

or forehead depending on who you receive your information from.

He was said to have been an athlete, even competing and winning medals at the Isthmian games.

The game of Dialectics would only come to him after meeting Socrates,

and through the careful tutelage of the old Gadfly Plato would develop a passionate love for wisdom which would continue until his death in 348.

Upon the death of Socrates, Plato was then only 28, he would come under suspicion from the Athenian authorities for his part in plotting his escape.

Because of this his friends thought it best that he set off to see the world.

We are uncertain as to the places which he traveled, but it is thought that he went to

Egypt,

Italy,

Judea,

and India,

but again we simply do not know for certain.

He would spend at total of 12 years away from Athens,

but would eventually return in the year 387 at the age of 40.

It was then that he established one of the earliest known organized schools in western civilization

called The Academy.

From this tiny school on the outskirts of Athens he would write the famous dialogues which would carry his name through the ages.

Seeing his master put to death instilled in him two things,

a passionate contempt for democracy

and the desire to “find a method wherein the wisest and the best might be discovered, persuaded, and then enabled to rule” (Will Durant).

In short he wished to create the ideal state;

and so he did

in what is perhaps his greatest work The Republic.

He began by asking himself why such a state has never come into existence,

why with all our ideas has this dream never been realized.

His answer

– simply human nature,

our excess greed and ambition too soon cause states to war over the territory and resources.

Additionally if external wars are able to be avoided then class and cultural division will eventually bring internal strife;

wherever in the roundabout of governmental systems we begin the fate of each remains the same.

See aristocracy,

“limiting too narrowly the circle within which power is confined,” (Will Durant)

give way to oligarchy,

which then fails when “the incautious scramble for immediate wealth,” causes currency to accumulate in the hands of a few

creating anger and dissent in the hearts of the many.

Once this takes place there can only be one end,

that being revolution.

“Then democracy comes: the poor overcome their opponents, slaughtering some and banishing the rest; and give to the people an equal share of freedom and power” (557).

But even democracy is not immune to the old ball and chain,

the failure of the state to adequately educate its people causing demagogues to be elected.

Once the state has been thoroughly thrust into chaos by these ill-informed, and ill-intentioned individuals the people demand order,

and whoever can deliver the greatest lie becomes the people’s champion,

I.E their autocrat.

This nauseating roundabout could only be prevented, Plato thought, by understanding first the nature of man.

Only then can we proceed, at least with any hope of success,

in building our Utopia.

Our process should begin by determining what drives individuals to behave in the way that they do,

after all,

“governments vary as the characters of men vary, . . . States are made out of the human natures which are in them” (544).

According to Plato human behavior originates from three main sources;

desire,

emotion,

and knowledge.

Desire holds within it impulse and instinct,

within emotion is ambition and courage,

and intellect and reason are encapsulated within knowledge.

How a particular individual behaves depends upon which source he drinks from most readily.

Those that take desire as their mainspring are best fit to be the producers of our society;

this is to say the farmers, businessmen, and merchants.

If emotion is what drives them

then these individuals are best fit to be our auxiliaries. They will fill the role of the military officers and top executive aides.

Last are the few who take knowledge as their guiding beacon,

these esteemed individuals will become our guardians,

our rulers,

our philosopher kings.

If we are to see our state succeed it is paramount that we enable each individual to acquire and perform the given tasks which their nature has best suited them for,

“ruin comes,”

said Plato,

“when the trader,

whose heart is lifted up by wealth

becomes ruler” (434).

In order to ensure that we choose our rulers properly, Plato has put in place an intricate system of selection,

I will summarize it here.

We must begin with complete equality of educational opportunity,

there will be no class, race, or gender barriers in our state;

whether it be a man or a woman, all they must do is demonstrate the ability to stand up to our process.

Let our search for prospects start by “sending out into the country all the inhabitants of the city who are more than ten years old,”

Plato thought that “by taking possession of the children, (they) will be protected from the habits of their parents.”

Once there the children will begin their education,

and so for the first 10 years their education will consist of predominately physical and musical activities.

This sort of early education would allow us to figure out the natural disposition of a child.

At this time we should also instill a moral basis,

this we will do by supernatural authority.

Yes,

we must have a religion.

Not only will this lend to our moral basis,

but it will also enable those individuals who have not been given high office to accept their position without dispute and anger towards those who are placed higher than themselves.

Moving on;

at twenty years of age we will give to them what is to be their first of two examinations,

this will not only be an academic test,

but also a test of practical and theoretical skill.

Those who fail will become our producers, or the economic class of our state,

those who pass will be given ten more years of education.

At the age of thirty they will be presented with a second, more difficult examination.

Those who fail this test will be become our auxiliaries.

After this second examination, the ones who remain will then be taught philosophy for 5 years.

This will consist of mainly metaphysics and politics.

Once this training is complete they will be sent into the world to be educated by life itself.

This last and perhaps most difficult test will continue for 15 years more.

Those who have come to the end of their education successfully,

now 50 years of age,

would become automatically the rulers of the state.

It was Plato’s thought that this system would eliminate discrimination based on social status since each would be given an equal chance to become guardians based upon their own merit.

It would also eliminate the crux of democracy,

which again is its tendency to elect ill-fitted individuals into high public office.

After examining this political ideal many of you may be questioning,

as Plato did,

the practical plausibility of what he has laid out.

While it is true that this Utopia of which he speaks has not yet shown itself on the horizon

I think we will still gain from developing these ideas and images.

It may not be the magic formula to creating the perfect state that we expected,

but perhaps we can provide a few ingredients that will aid in the development of another’s state when the time comes that the opportunity presents itself.

Outside of the political digressions the entire premise of The Republic remains an ethical one,

that being the question of justice.

Though with this digression we allowed ourselves the ability to view justice in a larger sense,

which Plato thought would give us insight into how we might define it individually.

In Plato’s society the basic goal was for each individual to be placed into the role for which he or she is best suited for,

in achieving this Plato meets his definition of justice

which is

“the having and doing what is one’s own.”

In other words

“a just man is a man in just the right place, doing his best, and giving the full equivalent of what he receives,” (Will Duarnt)

and on the societal level it is the effective coordination of these individuals to the end of creating an efficient whole.

This is contrasted by the moral views of, say,

Jesus and Nietzsche;

the former puts emphasis on kindness and charity to the weak

while the latter on the power of the strong.

Plato believes a moral society is one that achieves harmony of the whole.

Something else to consider when investigating the ethics of Plato is how much variation occurs between the different dialogues.

Each scholar will come to a different conclusion depending upon which method they subscribe to.

You have the Unitarian view which takes the various works of Plato and sees them maintain

more or less

the same principles from start to finish.

Then there is the revisionist view

which believes that his work saw some fundamental changes during the later parts of his life.

And finally there is the Developmentalist view

which has gained traction in recent years;

these individuals believe that Plato’s ethical ideals continually evolved throughout his life.

Whichever avenue you choose to follow you will find that he,

like many other philosophers of his day,

followed a “virtue-based eudaemonistic conception of ethics.”

By Eudaemonistic I mean an ethic based on happiness and the virtues that contribute to its attainment.

In order to fully discover his ethics I will save it for a separate video as it would take much more time to fully investigate its intricacies.

The Metaphysics of Plato is most readily demonstrated through his doctrine of ideas,

or as some call the theory of forms.

In this doctrine Plato sets out to explain the unperceived duality of our universe,

or in other words how our universe is separated into that which can be detected through our sense,

(The Physical realm),

and that which can only be conceived by reason and thought,

(The Realm of Forms).

With any given object,

say a dog,

we sense its features,

these features are part of the physical realm,

but behind these features is the general idea of idea or ideal of a dog,

an everlasting and changeless form which exists outside of what can be perceived by our senses.

Even if the color, age, or breed of the dog changes the general idea of a dog remains the same.

This idea,

Plato thought, is more real than what we perceive through our sense experience.

We can think of the physical realm as merely a temporary imitation of what lies within the realm of forms.

The laws by which a certain thing behaves is also part of this realm of forms,

he would often reference the laws of geometry here.

It was not without reason that above the door of The Academy he had placed a sign that read

“let no man ignorant of Geometry enter here.”

Without this eternal realm life would seem to us meaningless, only a bundle of sensations,

such as a newborn infant experiences.

In The Republic Plato uses the allegory of the cave to illustrate the philosopher seeking to look past his subjective reality in pursuit of the objective truth,

if you are interested in learning of this allegory I have created a video on this topic,

I will put the link in the description below.

If you enjoyed the video and would like to learn more about eastern and western philosophy consider subscribing to the channel,

and as always,

thank you for talking philosophy with me,

until next time.