Showing results by author "Plato" in All Categories

Socrates questions Ion, an actor who just won a major prize, about his ability to interpret the epic poetry of Homer. How does an actor, a poet, or any other artist create? Is it by knowing? Is it by inspiration? As the dialogue proceeds, the nature of human creativity emerges as a mysterious process and an unsolved puzzle. Plato lived in Athens, Greece. He wrote approximately two-dozen dialogues that explore core topics that are essential to all human beings.

Plato (428/427 BC-348/347 BC), whose original name was Aristocles, was an ancient Greek philosopher, the second of the great trio of ancient Greeks - succeeding Socrates and preceding Aristotle - who between them, laid the philosophical foundations of Western culture. Plato was also a mathematician, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Plato's brilliance as a writer and thinker can be witnessed by reading his Socratic dialogues.

Laches, a general in the Athenian army, saw Socrates fight bravely in the battle of Delium. When he and Nicias, another general, are asked to explain the idea of courage, they are at a loss and words fail them. How does courage differ from thoughtless and reckless audacity? Can a lion be said to be courageous? What about small children who have little idea of the dangers they face? Should we call people courageous who do not know whether their bravery will produce good or bad consequences?

Euthyphro by Plato is a Socratic dialogue whose events occur in the weeks before the trial of Socrates (399 BC), between Socrates and Euthyphro. The dialogue covers subjects such as the meaning of piety and justice. As is common with Plato's earliest dialogues, it ends in aporia. In this dialogue, Socrates meets Euthyphro at the porch of the archon basileus (the 'king magistrate') at that time. Socrates tells him that he is preparing to go to court against the charges of Meletus on the grounds of impiety.

Crito is a dialogue that was written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. It depicts a conversation between Socrates and his wealthy friend Crito of Alopece regarding justice, injustice, and the appropriate response to injustice after Socrates's imprisonment, which is chronicled in the Apology. In Crito, Socrates believes injustice may not be answered with injustice, personifies the Laws of Athens to prove this, and refuses Crito's offer to finance his escape from prison. The dialogue contains an ancient statement of the social contract theory of government.

The Symposium is a Socratic dialogue by Plato, dated c. 385 – 370 BC. It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of notable Athenian men attending a banquet. The men include the philosopher Socrates, the general and statesman Alcibiades, and the comic playwright Aristophanes. The panegyrics are to be given in praise of Eros, the god of love and sex. In the Symposium, Eros is recognized both as erotic lover and as a phenomenon capable of inspiring courage, valor, great deeds and works, and vanquishing man's natural fear of death.

Socrates, at 70+ years of age, defends himself against charges of corrupting the youth of Athens, atheism, and other false claims before accepting his fate and starting his final days on Earth.

Dive into the profound world of The Republic, where philosophy meets politics. Explore the thought-provoking dialogue between Socrates and his peers as they tackle the essence of justice, the ideal state, and the nature of the human soul. This timeless work invites you to reflect on your own beliefs and the structure of society, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the foundations of Western thought.

Immerse yourself in the profound world of philosophy with The Republic, a classic Socratic dialogue crafted by Plato around 380 BC. This seminal work delves into the nature of justice and provocatively asks whether the just man finds greater happiness than his unjust counterpart. Through captivating dialogues featuring Socrates and a diverse array of Athenians and foreigners, we explore the blueprint of an ideal city led by philosopher-kings. Plato eloquently unravels deep concepts, including the role of the philosopher, his renowned Theory of Forms, the clash between philosophy and poetry, ...

Laws (Greek Νόμοι) represents Platos final and most comprehensive dialogue, crafted later in his life after his ambitions to shape a tyrants governance in Syracuse fell short, leading to his imprisonment. This profound work explores the essence of law, the intricacies of governance, and the vision of an ideal state, reflecting Platos timeless philosophical explorations. Join us as we delve into the layers of thought that define our understanding of justice and societal order. - Summary by Wikipedia

Aspects Of Love is a captivating anthology that delves into the multifaceted nature of erotic love. This collection begins with Platos renowned work, The Symposium, where men gather over a meal, each sharing their unique perspectives on love. Following this inspired format, each selected piece in this anthology presents a distinct exploration of loves many forms—be it the thrill of infidelity, the warmth of marriage, or the beauty of same-sex relationships. From the eloquent verses of Donne, Whitman, Shakespeare, and Sappho, this anthology invites readers to journey through the diverse ...

Welcome to PLATO Panel Talks (formerly PQA Panel Talks)! Every month we bring together a team of experts from our PLATO team and community to talk about their experiences and debate and discuss issues in the vast world of software testing and quality assurance.

The Apology of Socrates was written by Plato. In fact, it's a defensive speech of Socrates that he said in a court noted down by Plato. The main subject of the speech is a problem of the evil. Socrates insists that neither death nor death sentence is evil. We shouldn't be afraid of the death because we don't know anything about it. Socrates proved that the death shouldn't be taken as the evil with the following dilemma: the death is either a peace or a transit from this life to the next. Both can't be called evil. Consequently, the death shouldn't be treated as evil.

Learn to solve one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change. In this course you’ll use systems thinking to understand the causes, systems, and obstacles underlying the climate change challenge and discover a portfolio of possible solutions. Explore our easy-to-understand, science-backed lessons featuring global experts in climate research, policy, technology, and beyond, with actionable advice and practical skills you can learn to start taking action right away without being a scientist! When you're ready to learn more skills, join for FREE at Plato.University/courses/...

What stories are the inspirational ‘Muses’ in your life? Many-headed monsters, ferocious fighters, scheming sorcerers, humble heroes: mythology, legends, and folklore are full of fascinating stories and vibrant characters. For thousands of years, humanity has used mythology to make sense of our own lives, express our creativity, and connect with each other. In Myths and Muses, the Mythik Camps team shares stories drawn from across many pantheons and cultures, with the hope that young demigods (and their families!) will feel inspired to explore ancient legends, modern marvels, and the ...

Theory into Action is a podcast designed to help you turn your wisdom into actionable education. Brandon Stover, founder of Plato University, will teach you how to create online courses, design learning experiences, and build educational programs so your knowledge can impact thousands of people. Let's build something great together.

Ion is a very short Platonic dialogue between Socrates and a rhapsode by the name of Ion who specializes in reciting the poetry of Homer. The dialogue explores the nature of poetic and artistic inspiration in a most playful way.

Explore the intricate dance between love and rhetoric, as suggested by this philosophical classic. The title hints at a world where ideas about passion, persuasion, and the nature of the soul intertwine. This podcast presents a rotating collection of full-length audiobooks, each week spotlighting a different book that traverses diverse perspectives, eras, and writing styles. It's not a single narrative but a series of explorations into the human condition, offering listeners a chance to gain insight, indulge curiosity, or simply escape into thought-provoking worlds. New books are added weekly....

"Eryxias" is a Socratic dialogue attributed to Plato, but which is considered spurious. It is set in the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, and features Socrates in conversation with Critias, Eryxias, and Erasistratus. "Eryxias" may not have been written by Plato. The dialogue discusses whether wealth has value and what the aim of philosophy should be.

Plato's Crito is a dialogue between an imprisoned Socrates and Crito, a wealthy Athenian who has formulated and financed a plan for Socrates to escape and live in exile.