PLATO
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Plato was Socrates' student and one of the most influential philosophers in Western civilization. Born to a politically active and wealthy noble Athenian family, (Plato's mother was descended from Solon, the famous lawgiver credited with major democratic reforms that paved the way for Athen's Golden Age) Plato grew up during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE), a conflict that arose among Athens, Sparta, and their allies. This civil war was the beginning of the end of the Athenian Golden Age, and created an opening for later conquest by Philip of Macedon. The principles of democracy in Athens were lost, as was much of the cultural wealth of both city states.
During this general shift away from democracy, Plato was a young man, and probably served in the military around 409-404 BCE.
His relatives Critias and Charmides introduced Plato to Socrates and his radical and vibrant philosophical group. Socrates became Plato's teacher from 469-399 BCE. Plato was deeply influenced by Socrates' emphasis on ethics and politics, and would later commemorate Socrates as the wise and central speaker in his philosophical writings.When Athens lost the Peloponnesian War, Critias and Charmides, the same relatives who had established Plato in Athens, became part of the despotic Rule of Thirty, also known as the Thirty Tyrants. When the government of the Rule of Thirty crumbled in 403 BCE.Plato gave up all political aspirations after this tragedy, and pursued instead a career of travel and philosophy.
He travelled to the Greek city of Syracuse in Sicily around 387 BCE, ruled by the despotic Dionysius, there he tutored and befriended Dion, a relative of the king.Plato came back to Athens in 386 BCE to found his school in a place dedicated to Academus, a mythical hero. The Academy among the first organized institutions of higher education in the Western world.
During this general shift away from democracy, Plato was a young man, and probably served in the military around 409-404 BCE.
His relatives Critias and Charmides introduced Plato to Socrates and his radical and vibrant philosophical group. Socrates became Plato's teacher from 469-399 BCE. Plato was deeply influenced by Socrates' emphasis on ethics and politics, and would later commemorate Socrates as the wise and central speaker in his philosophical writings.When Athens lost the Peloponnesian War, Critias and Charmides, the same relatives who had established Plato in Athens, became part of the despotic Rule of Thirty, also known as the Thirty Tyrants. When the government of the Rule of Thirty crumbled in 403 BCE.Plato gave up all political aspirations after this tragedy, and pursued instead a career of travel and philosophy.
He travelled to the Greek city of Syracuse in Sicily around 387 BCE, ruled by the despotic Dionysius, there he tutored and befriended Dion, a relative of the king.Plato came back to Athens in 386 BCE to found his school in a place dedicated to Academus, a mythical hero. The Academy among the first organized institutions of higher education in the Western world.