Plato Essays and Term Papers
Last update: August 9, 2014-
Analysis of Plato's "the Allegory of the Cave"
Analysis of Plato's "The Allegory of the Cave" The moist air of the cave hovers in a homeostatic manner around the manТs conditioned skin. He sits, staring at the flat, cold surface of rock in front of him. Nothing that he sees surprises him. He just stares blankly at the recurrent shadows dancing in a dull glow. He is motionlessly caught in a state of a calm, content trance. The cold chains around his neck
Rating:Essay Length: 1,243 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: December 4, 2008 -
Plato
Plato was a philosopher and educator in ancient Greece. He was one of the most important thinkers and writers in the history of Western culture. Plato was born in Athens into a family that was one of the oldest and most distinguished in the city. His father Ariston died when Plato was only a child. The name Plato was a nickname meaning broad shoulders. Plato's real name was Aristocles. Plato had aspirations of becoming a
Rating:Essay Length: 534 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 8, 2009 -
Philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
Philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle The philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had different points of-view but they were also similar in some ways. For example, all three philosophers had their own thoughts on the subject of justice and government. Socrates belief on this matter was that democracy was an unwise form of government. He thought that the electing of the people was unfair justice. Plato had some of the same beliefs. He believed
Rating:Essay Length: 425 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 8, 2009 -
The Republic - Plato
To compare the political theories of two great philosophers of politics is to first examine each theory in depth. Plato is regarded by many experts as the first writer of political philosophy, and Aristotle is recognized as the first political scientist. These two men were great thinkers. They each had ideas of how to improve existing societies during their individual lifetimes. It is necessary to look at several areas of each theory to seek the
Rating:Essay Length: 1,267 Words / 6 PagesSubmitted: November 9, 2009 -
Plato S Symposium
Plato was one of Socrates’ greatest admirers, and our knowledge of Socrates stems mostly from Plato’s dialogues. Plato wrote his dialogues so that his students could read them out to each other and from a phrase discuss what it is about. Plato’s thought is mostly recorded in the form of dialogues that feature Socrates as the protagonist. The symposium was written between the middle and the late period, and the figure of Socrates serves more
Rating:Essay Length: 2,331 Words / 10 PagesSubmitted: November 11, 2009 -
Plato on Justice and Injustice
Plato on Justice and Injustice In The Republic, Plato attempts to demonstrate through the character and discourse of Socrates that justice is better than justice is the good which men must strive for, regardless of whether they could be unjust and still be rewarded. His method is to use dialectic, the asking and answering of questions which led the hearer from one point to another, supposedly with irrefutable logic by obtaining agreement to each point
Rating:Essay Length: 1,122 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: November 14, 2009 -
The Apology - Plato
In the Apology, Plato provides the reader with a faithful picture of the greatness of Socrates. This dialogue is one of the many recorded about the life and work of Socrates. The Apology is about how Socrates was arrested and charged with corrupting the youth, believing in no gods not approved by the state, and for being a Sophist. During the trial Socrates explained "This is irreverent conduct for either of us." This essay will
Rating:Essay Length: 668 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 16, 2009 -
Aristotle’s Critique of Plato
Aristotle's Critique of Plato Aristotle took a distinct path verging from the foundation of Plato's philosophy. In order to control society Plato used the noble lie, so people under the state wouldn't question their place in life. Aristotle, on the other hand, used the idea of "civic virtue of friendship" to create a sense of community. "For Aristotle, friendship is a virtue "most necessary for our life." Without friendship, life would be missing a major
Rating:Essay Length: 477 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 17, 2009 -
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave Compared to the Human Condition
The Allegory Because of how we live, true reality is not obvious to most of us. However, we mistake what we see and hear for reality and truth. This is the basic premise for Plato抯 Allegory of the Cave, in which prisoners sit in a cave, chained down, watching images cast on the wall in front of them. They accept these views as reality and they are unable to grasp their overall situation: the cave
Rating:Essay Length: 1,006 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: November 17, 2009 -
Plato’s Republic
The Republic itself is nothing at the start of Plato's most famous and influential book. It does not exist. Not only does it not exist in actuality, but it does not exist in theory either. It must be built. It architect will be Socrates, the fictional persona Plato creates for himself. In the first episode Socrates encounters some acquaintances during the festival of Bendis. His reputation for good conversation already well-established, Socrates is approached by
Rating:Essay Length: 2,577 Words / 11 PagesSubmitted: November 17, 2009 -
In Plato's the Republic
In Plato’s The Republic: Book III; Socrates prescribed the medical training that should be provided in the just city. He felt that doctors should be trained to treat the healthy, who suffered from a single curable problem. In contrast, Socrates also felt that the doctors should not be trained to treat the chronically ill and since they are suffering from an incurable disease they should be left to die naturally. Furthermore, Socrates felt that the
Rating:Essay Length: 409 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 17, 2009 -
Plato
Few definite details are known of Plato's life. He was born in Athens c. 427 BC and was the youngest son of Ariston, of an old and wealthy family. It is claimed that his real name was Aristocles, with "Plato" (meaning "the broad") being a nickname given to him because of his wrestler's physique. He served in the last years of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, and after democracy was restored in
Rating:Essay Length: 634 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 18, 2009 -
Plato V. Machiavelli
Is a just person the best choice for a ruler; many philosophers have laid out different ways in which they believe a society should be ran whether it be a single ruler such as a prince or multiple rulers like philosophy kings. Machiavelli intended for a society/principality to be ruled a strong ruler whether he be just or unjust, moral or immoral; whereas Plato believed for a society to work a just ruler such as
Rating:Essay Length: 1,543 Words / 7 PagesSubmitted: November 18, 2009 -
How Does Plato Relate the Soul of Virtuous Individual to the Ideal Republic in His Republic
The virtues are based on justice, of which common honesty in buying and selling is the shadow, and justice is based on the idea of good, which is the harmony of the world, and is reflected both in the institutions of States and in motions of the heavenly bodies Each virtue that Plato explains in Republic is connected to the proper work of the State. Virtuous individual is the face of the State- if the
Rating:Essay Length: 588 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 20, 2009 -
Plato
Plato was born to an aristocratic family in Athens, Greece. When he was a child his father, Ariston, who was believed to be descended from the early kings of Athens died, and his mother, Perictione married Pyrilampes. As a young man Plato was always interested in political leadership and eventually became a disciple of Socrates. He followed his philosophy and his dialectical style, which is believed to be the search for truth through questions, answers,
Rating:Essay Length: 1,745 Words / 7 PagesSubmitted: November 21, 2009 -
Plato’s Republic - Book V
Plato's most famous work is undoubtedly The Republic it has weathered the test of time to provide us with the most influential philosophical doctrine surviving from the ancient Mediterranean. Over the years Plato has been hailed by some as an advocate of women's rights because of some views he puts forth in The Republic. In Book V of the work Plato has Socrates, acting as his voice, engage in a discussion of the perfect state
Rating:Essay Length: 606 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 26, 2009 -
Plato’s Parable of the Cave
In Plato's "Parable of the Cave", it is questioned whether living in darkness and then being forced into light makes it understandable for these humans to want to go back into their safe environment where they know "truth." The idea of having to adjust from darkness to the sun would force them to be reintroduced to their concept of truth. The reasons the prisoner could not be taken directly from darkness to light would include
Rating:Essay Length: 492 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 27, 2009 -
Plato and Innate Knowledge
Universal knowledge possessed by human beings is not acquired, but is “innate”. The senses effectuate a recollection of wisdom gained during the soul’s existence prior to birth. I believe these statements to be true and as a proponent, shall argue in favor on the basis of Plato’s works regarding the same. Plato asserts that universal knowledge is not acquired, but rather, is inherently present in humans from birth. This “knowledge of the forms” was gained
Rating:Essay Length: 519 Words / 3 PagesSubmitted: November 30, 2009 -
Plato
Plato was a Greek philosopher during the 4th century BCE. He was born in 427BCE, during the "Golden Age of Athens." His birth was three years after the Peloponnesian War began and one year after Pericles died from the plague. Plato was the son of Ariston, a descendant from the last king of Athens and Perictone, a descendant of Solon. Solon was an aristocratic reformer who wrote the constitution that established Athenian democracy. Plato's family
Rating:Essay Length: 287 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: November 30, 2009 -
Plato Vs Locke
In analyzing the works of Plato and John Locke I feel that Plato presents a more accurate idealism in how a society should be maintained. Plato puts ultimate power in those with the highest knowledge. I feel that this concept is necessary in order to have a successful regime, thus I support in my argument. Plato's theory hand picks guardians to become Philosopher Kings. These kings are those with "Gold" Souls, and in fact do
Rating:Essay Length: 269 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 1, 2009 -
Plato
The focus of Socrates at this time in Plato's Republic is of the ideal city and how it can be traced to the human soul. Socrates believes that the city he has proposed to the other men is perfect in itself. He says that this city possesses four virtues which are the base for the city being perfect. These are the virtues of wisdom, courage, moderation and lastly but most importantly is the virtue of
Rating:Essay Length: 1,336 Words / 6 PagesSubmitted: December 1, 2009 -
The Crito Written by Plato
Crito In "The Crito" written by Plato, the philosopher, Socrates, has been accused by the state of Athens and sentenced to death for his teachings that they thought were questionable. Socrates does not argue about his sentence but agrees with it, he chooses to die because he wants to do what he believes is right by not by not betraying the state and breaking his implied contract. Socrates said that one must listen to the
Rating:Essay Length: 836 Words / 4 PagesSubmitted: December 2, 2009 -
Philosophy В– Plato and Aristotle
Aristotle goes into a great detail discussing the life and nature of the city-state as well as the divisions within in. Like everything else that exists, the aim of the city is that it is there for the sake of something good. The city is in existence to serve some good purpose and to make the lives of those who live within it (its members) better. The city has the character of completeness and is
Rating:Essay Length: 2,480 Words / 10 PagesSubmitted: December 2, 2009 -
Spoils of Plato’s Argument
In our century, it is not hard to find tyrannical personalities to fit Plato's description. Both Hitler and Mussolini were undone by their inability to be satisfied with their successes. When Hitler had conquered France, there was only one country left in the world at war with him, Britain. Stalin's Soviet Union was busy mollifying Hitler by supplying him anything he needed. If Hitler had been content to absorb his conquests and develop Germany's potential,
Rating:Essay Length: 426 Words / 2 PagesSubmitted: December 3, 2009 -
Plato Vs Machiavelli
Of the many disparities between Plato and Machiavelli, the distinction of virtue versus virtu sticks out like a sore thumb. Virtue was the political bases for Plato: All men should behave virtuously at all times. Whereas Machiavelli believed virtu was the basis for political prowess. What was best for the state as a whole was the main concern, and the ends always justified the means. Plato’s object was the creation of a utopian society--a civilization
Rating:Essay Length: 1,049 Words / 5 PagesSubmitted: December 6, 2009