5 page paper, no more than two pages on biographical information, For the remaining pages explain two reasons the philosopher is famous and why. If you use any information that is not your own words please cite the source PLATO Biography Plato is an ancient Greek philosopher and educationist, a student of Socrates and a teacher to Aristotle. He wrote about beauty and equality, theology, justice, cosmology, epistemology, aesthetics, political philosophy and the philosophy of language. Socrates, who is a main character in many of his writings, majorly influenced his writings. Nevertheless, but Parmenides, Heraclitus and the Pythagoreans also played a role in his writing. He founded the Academy in Athens, which is one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the West. Much of his life has been reconstructed from his writings, as well as writings from other contemporary historians. This is due to lack of primary sources dating back to his time. His birth is estimated to be around 428 BC according to traditional history, but this is in contrast to later research by modern scholars, who trace his birth to the years between 424 and 423 BC.HIS parents were both from the Greek aristocracy. Due to his high social class, the finest educators in Athens taught him. This helped develop his interest in the study of epistemology (the study of knowledge), and metaphysics (the study of nature). Plato had some important events in his life, one that was meeting Socrates, a great Greek philosopher. Plato was mesmerized by his methods of debate and dialogue, and consequently became a close acquaintance of Socrates. Another significant event in his life was a war between Athens and Sparta, which was known as the Peloponnesian war. Athens was defeated and some of his relatives, Critias and Charmides, became prominent figures in the new Spartan government. This made Plato to almost join politics, but after the forceful execution of Socrates his teacher, he decided to dedicate his life to philosophy and study. After Socrates demise, Plato travelled throughout the Mediterranean for twelve years. In Italy, he learned geometry, and learnt astronomy, geology and religion in his stay in Egypt. It is during this period in time that he started his journey in extensive writing. His writings fall into three major categories. In the first period, Plato tries to put down Socrates teachings and philosophical ideas. Texts belonging to this period include Euthyphro, the Apology of Socrates, Protagoras, Ion, and Hippias major and minor. During the second period, he writes about wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation of the society and the individual. He also puts in to context the idea of a just government with philosopher kings as the rulers. A famous text written during this period is The Republic. Platos third period in writing conveys his own metaphysical ideas. He investigates the role of art, which includes dance, drama, music, architecture, and also morality and ethics. The Theory of Forms, one of his writings, talks about the world of thoughts being constant unlike the world we perceive through our senses, which is deceptive and susceptible to change. Plato founded a school known as the Academy and presided over it until his death. The school gave lessons in biology, mathematics, astronomy, philosophy and political theory. Plato wanted to inculcate ideas of building a suitable government in Greece, to his students. One of Platos best students was, Aristotle, whom Plato hoped would diversify his philosophical ideas. However, the Roman Emperor, Justin I, later closed down the school. This is because it was thought to be against Christianity and preaching paganism. His death is said to be in 347BC in his early eighties. His broad ideas on science, nature, mathematics and political theory had a great impact on the world at large and not only in his Greek homeland. Platos works have had a great influence in society today and have earned him a lot of fame. Platos belief in the magnitude of mathematics in educational circles has helped us understand the universe better. Modern democracy is also be traced on Platos ideas of using reason in development of a fairer and more just society that emphasizes equality of all people. Platos view on government Plato has influenced the modern ideals of government. One of Platos greatest works is dualistic metaphysics mostly referred to as realism. Here, he divides the world into the perceptual world, which we see around us, and the intelligible world. He views the perceptual world and what is in it, as imperfect replicas of intelligent ideas. Intellectual ideas are perfect and unchangeable and require understanding and intellect to comprehend them. We understand the world better if we look at it through these two compartments. To him, the real and the perceived worlds are very different whereby; the form of government is composed of a rigid fixation of hereditary classes. The government suppresses the arts, which center on the good of the individual. His metaphysical ideas later influenced the formation of the democratic government, which embraces equality of all citizens on a particular state. His philosophical ideologies have influenced the ideal state, whereby he warns of the different kinds of rulers and gives insight on what the best ruling system might be, that which is governed by wise people. He explores ruling systems like aristocracy-the best people rule; Timocracy-honourable people rule; oligarchy-few people rule; Democracy-the people rule; and tyranny-a lone person rules the state. Plato embraces the idea of an ideal society in The Republic, where society should look for the meaning of justice. The best minds should be the ones to rule a society, because there is need to make important decisions and not be corrupt or ignorant while making leadership decisions. Leadership will only be better in different states facing different crises, if knowledge and reason are applied in ruling. Wisdom lovers should rule the state to redeem them from social evils. To him women can govern just as well as men, and ruling members should not be allowed to accumulate any property during their term in service. This is likely to limit chances of corrupt individuals wanting to govern states for their own selfish gain. This is information of crucial value to politicians in general. He criticizes a democratic government, which he views as incompetent, because ordinary people do not possess the relevant skills needed to run a state. Platos view on education Plato views education as the key to a better state, and stresses the idea of cultivating childrens talents from a young age, to enable them be of use in society. He believes in education for all people regardless of class, to enable talented children to nurture their talents. A state is responsible for its childrens education and it is not the parents responsibility to provide this education. He recommends a method of education whereby teaching is by doing, and he emphasizes that students should be motivated in learning. Education should enable a person to become a better person in society and enable performance of societal roles. He discourages imposing of forceful education on children and advocates for willingness in learning. Plato objected to poetry and viewed it as an imitation in spite of him being a great poet. He views all arts as imitative in nature, copies of the ultimate reality, which is unchanging. He disregards poetry because it does not inculcate sound morals in children. It drives people further from the ultimate reality instead of guiding them towards it. Platos Academy, which was the first school in Athens, has led to the development of Colleges and other institutions of higher learning in the world today. He was a celebrated teacher in his days, and many other great thinkers like Aristotle, his student took up his ideas after his death. His ideas were used by Philo of Alexandria to give philosophical ideas to Judaism. The early Christians also embraced his ideas on Christianity, as an impressive instrument in defending the biblical teachings and church traditions. This is because in his works, he compares the ideal world which he dreams of, to God. God creates the world from raw materials and continues to perfect it according to his plans. If the world is imperfect, God is not to blame, but the raw materials are to blame because they are not perfect. These ideas made the early church see Plato as a noble Christian. He also influenced Islamic teachings through the written works of Averroes and Avicenna, philosophers who echoed Platos writings in their work. Submitting high quality Essays,Research Papers, Term Papers, is the only way students can score high grades( As). Students ought to hire professional Writing Service providers who can deliver high quality work within the allocated time. Click to ORDER NOW It’s only fair to share