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Definition: Plato from Dictionary of Politics and Government

an Ancient Greek philosopher (c. 428–347 BC) whose ‘Republic’ is considered the greatest work of political philosophy (NOTE: Plato argued that the best form of government would be one where philosophers were rulers and where everyone learnt to accept their position in life.)

Plato

From Great Thinkers A-Z
Plato is one of the founding fathers of philosophy and has had a massive impact on the history of western thought. He was probably born in Athens or the nearby island of Aegina. He was given the name Aristocles, but was called Plato, which means ‘broad’ or ‘flat’, a possible reference to his broad shoulders (he used to wrestle). Although there were a number of outstanding Greek philosophers before Plato, only fragments of their writings survive. However, we are fortunate to possess a great deal of Plato's work. What distinguishes Plato from earlier philosophers is his development of a more cogent and rational approach to philosophy which laid the foundations for all philosophers who came after him. This is why the British philosopher Alfred North Whitehead famously said that the history of philosophy is but ‘a series of footnotes to Plato’. During his lifetime, Plato witnessed the decline of Athens and experienced the moral uncertainty that resulted. Plato was born into a wealthy and…
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Full text Article Plato

From Political Philosophy A-Z
Ancient Greek philosopher, arguably the founder of political philosophy. In the Republic argues against democracy and for Philosopher Kings as the basis of an ideal state. In the Laws , he gives a typology of constitutions illustrated by the various Greek city states. The Republic starts by…
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From Philip's Encyclopedia
Ancient Greek philosopher and writer who formulated an ethical and metaphysical system based upon philosophical idealism . From c .407 bc he was a disciple of Socrates , from whom he may have derived many of his ideas about ethics. Following the trial and execution of Socrates in 399 bc Plato…
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From Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World
Also known as: Platon (b. ca. 429–d. ca. 347 BCE ) Greek philosopher and founder of the Academy In Greek, Platon means “wide”, suggesting it is perhaps a nickname.Plato was one of the most influential thinkers in world history. He founded the Western world's first important institution of higher…
| 1,746 words
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Full text Article Plato

From Great Thinkers A-Z
Plato is one of the founding fathers of philosophy and has had a massive impact on the history of western thought. He was probably born in Athens or the nearby island of Aegina. He was given the name Aristocles, but was called Plato, which means ‘broad’ or ‘flat’, a possible reference to his broad…
| 790 words
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Full text Article Plato

From Encyclopedia of Ancient Literature
(b. 428 (or 427) BCE –d. 348 (or 347) BCE ) Greek philosopher Arguably the preeminently influential philosopher of the Western world, Plato was born to a prominent but politically divided Athenian family. Various members of that family had urged opposing political points of view during the years of…
| 1,515 words
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From Encyclopedia of Renaissance Literature
(b. 428 (or 427) BCE –d. 348 (or 347) BCE ) Greek philosopher A disciple of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, the ancient Greek Plato is arguably the most influential thinker of the Western philosophical tradition. Though all of his works have probably not survived, many of his most influential…
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From The Columbia Encyclopedia
(plā'tō), 427?–347 B.C. , Greek philosopher. Plato's teachings have been among the most influential in the history of Western civilization. After pursuing the liberal studies of his day, he became in 407 B.C. a pupil and friend of Socrates. From about 388 B.C. he lived for a time at the court of…
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From Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks: Philosophy: Education Full text Article Figures and Traditions
AF ARCHIVE/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO. Dead Poets Society...
More than two thousand years separate the Greek philosopher Plato (427–347 BCE) from the film Dead Poets Society (1989 ), but points of comparison illuminate some of the themes to be found in Plato's work. The early scenes of the film, which takes place at a fictional elite prep school for boys, set…
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Full text Article Plato

From Gale Biographies: Popular People
Although Plato himself did not contribute substantial works directly to science and mathematics, his philosophy and methods of education heavily influenced developments in these fields for many centuries. Many of his ideas were taken from earlier Greek philosophers, especially Socrates (470-399 B.C…
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From Collins Dictionary of Sociology
(428-348 BC) major Greek philosopher, pupil of SOCRATES , and teacher of ARISTOTLE . Living most of his life in Athens, Plato contributed to many areas of PHILOSOPHY , and his ideas exerted a many-sided influence on Western social thought, e.g. on political science, and on theories of education. The…
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