Plato Biography
(c. 428 BCE–c. 348 BCE)
Ancient Greek philosopher Plato founded the
Academy and is the author of philosophical
works of unparalleled influence in Western
thought.
Synopsis
Born circa 428 B.C.E., ancient Greek philosopher
Plato was a student of Socrates and a teacher
of Aristotle. His writings explored justice,
beauty and equality, and also contained discussions
in aesthetics, political philosophy, theology,
cosmology, epistemology and the philosophy
of language. Plato founded the Academy in
Athens, one of the first institutions of higher
learning in the Western world. He died in
Athens circa 348 B.C.E.
Background
Due to a lack of primary sources from the
time period, much of Plato's life has been
constructed by scholars through his writings
and the writings of contemporaries and classical
historians. Traditional history estimates
Plato's birth was around 428 B.C.E., but more
modern scholars, tracing later events in his
life, believe he was born between 424 and
423 B.C.E. Both of his parents came from the
Greek aristocracy. Plato's father, Ariston,
descended from the kings of Athens and Messenia.
His mother, Perictione, is said to be related
to the 6th century B.C.E. Greek statesman
Solon.
Some scholars believe that Plato was named
for his grandfather, Aristocles, following
the tradition of the naming the eldest son
after the grandfather. But there is no conclusive
evidence of this, or that Plato was the eldest
son in his family. Other historians claim
that "Plato" was a nickname, referring to
his broad physical build. This too is possible,
although there is record that the name Plato
was given to boys before Aristocles was born.
As with many young boys of his social class,
Plato was probably taught by some of Athens'
finest educators. The curriculum would have
featured the doctrines of Cratylus and Pythagoras
as well as Parmenides. These probably helped
develop the foundation for Plato's study of
metaphysics (the study of nature) and epistemology
(the study of knowledge).
Plato's father died when he was young, and
his mother remarried her uncle, Pyrilampes,
a Greek politician and ambassador to Persia.
Plato is believed to have had two full brothers,
one sister and a half brother, though it is
not certain where he falls in the birth order.
Often, members of Plato's family appeared
in his dialogues. Historians believe this
is an indication of Plato's pride in his family
lineage.
As a young man, Plato experienced two major
events that set his course in life. One was
meeting the great Greek philosopher Socrates.
Socrates's methods of dialogue and debate
impressed Plato so much that he soon he became
a close associate and dedicated his life to
the question of virtue and the formation of
a noble character. The other significant event
was the Peloponnesian War between Athens and
Sparta, in which Plato served for a brief
time between 409 and 404 B.C.E. The defeat
of Athens ended its democracy, which the Spartans
replaced with an oligarchy. Two of Plato's
relatives, Charmides and Critias, were prominent
figures in the new government, part of the
notorious Thirty Tyrants whose brief rule
severely reduced the rights of Athenian citizens.
After the oligarchy was overthrown and democracy
was restored, Plato briefly considered a career
in politics, but the execution of Socrates
in 399 B.C.E. soured him on this idea and
he turned to a life of study and philosophy.
After Socrates's death, Plato traveled for
12 years throughout the Mediterranean region,
studying mathematics with the Pythagoreans
in Italy, and geometry, geology, astronomy
and religion in Egypt. During this time, or
soon after, he began his extensive writing.
There is some debate among scholars on the
order of these writings, but most believe
they fall into three distinct periods.
Early, Middle and Late Periods: An Overview
The first, or early, period occurs during
Plato's travels (399-387 B.C.E.). The Apology
of Socrates seems to have been written shortly
after Socrates's death. Other texts in this
time period include Protagoras, Euthyphro,
Hippias Major and Minor and Ion. In these
dialogues, Plato attempts to convey Socrates's
philosophy and teachings.
In the second, or middle, period, Plato writes
in his own voice on the central ideals of
justice, courage, wisdom and moderation of
the individual and society. The Republic was
written during this time with its exploration
of just government ruled by philosopher kings.
In the third, or late, period, Socrates is
relegated to a minor role and Plato takes
a closer look at his own early metaphysical
ideas. He explores the role of art, including
dance, music, drama and architecture, as well
as ethics and morality. In his writings on
the Theory of Forms, Plato suggests that the
world of ideas is the only constant and that
the perceived world through our senses is
deceptive and changeable.
Founding the Academy
Sometime around 385 B.C.E., Plato founded
a school of learning, known as the Academy,
which he presided over until his death. It
is believed the school was located at an enclosed
park named for a legendary Athenian hero.
The Academy operated until 529 C.E.., when
it was closed by Roman Emperor Justinian I,
who feared it was a source of paganism and
a threat to Christianity. Over its years of
operation, the Academy's curriculum included
astronomy, biology, mathematics, political
theory and philosophy. Plato hoped the Academy
would provide a place for future leaders to
discover how to build a better government
in the Greek city-states.
In 367 B.C.E., Plato was invited by Dion,
a friend and disciple, to be the personal
tutor of his nephew, Dionysius II, the new
ruler of Syracuse (Sicily). Dion believed
that Dionysius showed promise as an ideal
leader. Plato accepted, hoping the experience
would produce a philosopher king. But Dionysius
fell far short of expectations and suspected
Dion, and later Plato, of conspiring against
him. He had Dion exiled and Plato placed under
"house arrest." Eventually, Plato returned
to Athens and his Academy. One of his more
promising students there was Aristotle, who
would take his mentor's teachings in new directions.
Final Years
Plato's final years were spent at the Academy
and with his writing. The circumstances surrounding
his death are clouded, though it is fairly
certain that he died in Athens around 348
B.C.E., when he was in his early 80s. Some
scholars suggest that he died while attending
a wedding, while others believe he died peacefully
in his sleep.
Plato's impact on philosophy and the nature
of humans has had a lasting impact far beyond
his homeland of Greece. His work covered a
broad spectrum of interests and ideas: mathematics,
science and nature, morals and political theory.
His beliefs on the importance of mathematics
in education have proven to be essential for
understanding the entire universe. His work
on the use of reason to develop a more fair
and just society that is focused on the equality
of individuals established the foundation
for modern democracy.
