Plato (l. 428/427 - 348/347 BCE) is the pre-eminent Greek philosopher, known for his Dialogues and for founding his Academy in Athens, traditionally considered the first university in the western world. Plato was a student of Socrates and featured his former teacher in almost all of his dialogues which form the basis of Western Philosophy.

Born Aristocles, son of Ariston of the deme Colytus, Plato had two older brothers (Adeimantus and Glaucon), who both feature famously in Plato's dialogue Republic, and a sister Potone. He is known by the nickname 'Plato' which, according to Diogenes Laertius (l. c. 180 - c. 240 CE), was given him by his wrestling coach because of his broad shoulders (in Greek 'Platon' means broad). His family was aristocratic and well-connected politically and it seems Plato was expected to pursue a career in politics. His interests, however, tended more toward the arts and, in his youth, he wrote plays and, perhaps, poetry.

After abandoning his literary pursuits and devoting himself to Socrates, even throughout his trial and execution, Plato wrote the foundational philosophic works of the ancient world which would go on to influence world culture. The three great monotheistic religions of the world owe much to Platonic thought whether directly or through the works of his student and friend Aristotle (l. 384-322 BCE), whose teachings remained consistent with Plato's vision of the importance of caring for one's soul and maintaining a virtuous lifestyle even though Aristotle would depart from some of the specifics of Plato's philosophy.

Plato - World history encyclopedia :biggus-dickus:

Megathreads and spaces to hang out:

reminders:

  • 💚 You nerds can join specific comms to see posts about all sorts of topics
  • 💙 Hexbear’s algorithm prioritizes struggle sessions over upbears
  • 💜 Sorting by new you nerd
  • 🌈 If you ever want to make your own megathread, you can go here nerd
  • 🐶 Join the unofficial Hexbear-adjacent Mastodon instance toots.matapacos.dog

Links To Resources (Aid and Theory):

Aid:

Theory:

Remember nerds, no current struggle session discussion here to the general megathread, i will ban you from the comm and remove your comment, have a good day/night :meow-coffee:

    • Wheaties [she/her]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Diogenes biggest dunk on Plato is being remembered. Imagine being a self-serious philosophy guy, spending your life building an edifice to truth, beauty, and knowledge; and then finding out the guy in a barrel outside of town is chronicled alongside you in the history books.

      • hahafuck [they/them]
        ·
        2 years ago

        I think it is a mischaracterization of both to say Plato didn't have a sense of humor and Diogenes wasn't a serious philosopher. Plus, pretty underwhelming dunk when one had their writing recorded and kept so we can read it today and the other only exists in anecdotes about a freaky smelly guy

    • HarryLime [any]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Plato once defined a man as a "featherless biped," so Diogenes showed up to his academy one day with a plucked chicken and said it was a man.

      • hahafuck [they/them]
        ·
        2 years ago

        Plato then swiftly added 'having flat nails' to his definition thus conclusively winning the argument and becoming the greatest thinker of all time

    • hahafuck [they/them]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Sure call the guy famous for being a massively hench nude wrestler a nerd