Plato

Objectives
• Identify general facts about Plato and his early
philosophical life.

• Assess some of Plato's Philosophy

• Analyze some of his works/contributions

• Understand Plato's perspective about one's self

General Facts
General Facts

• 427- 347 BC
• It was claimed that Plato's real
name was Aristocles which means
"the best glory"
• Aristos- best
• Kleoz- glory
• Plato is just a nickname on account
of his robust figure.
• Son of wealthy and influential
Athenians
Early Philosophical Life
 Early Philosophical Life

• Studied with Socrates

• When Socrates died, Plato
traveled to Egypt and Italy.

• He spent several years advising

the ruling family of Syracuse

• In 386 BCE, he returned to

Athens and founded his
own school of philosophy, the
Academy
Plato's Philosophy
 His Philosophy
• The happiness or well-being is the ultimate goal of moral
behavior

• He held that people who are moral and uphold the four
fundamental values are those who are happy.
 His Philosophy
In Plato's Republic, the four cardinal virtues
are:
•Wisdom
•Temperance
•Courage
•Justice
 Plato's Philosophical Method

• Plato identified his philosophical method as

collection and division.
 Theory of Forms
• Plato's theory of forms asserts that the physical realm is only a

shadow, or image, of the true reality of the Realm of Forms.

The Allegory of the Cave

 Soul = Self
Plato believes that the soul is just
residing in the body temporarily.
 Three Concepts of Soul

• Rational Soul
• Spirited Soul
• Appetitive Soul
 Rational Soul
• Enables us to think, reflect, analyze and other
cognitive functions.

• The rational soul governs reason and intellect

• Highest form of cognition

 Spirited Soul

• Located in our chest

• The spirited soul takes charge of our emotions

• Desires honor
 Appetitive Soul
• Located at the abdomen

• Enables us to experience physical pain, hunger, thirst,

and other physical wants

• Desires for pleasure

Plato's Works
Allegory of Chariot
 REFERENCES

Smykowski, Joanna (2022). Better Help: Aristotle and Plato – How Their Views on Happiness Can
Help Us Today, Retrieved August 28, 2022 from
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/happiness/aristotle-and-plato-how-their-views-on-
happiness-can-help-us-today/
Gleiser, Marcelo (2015). GK TODAY: Plato's Cardinal Vritues, Retrieved August 28, 2022 from
https://www.gktoday.in/topic/platos-cardinal-virtues/

Hugh, Benson (N.A.). Bibliography: Plato, Retrieved August 28, 2022 from
https://philpapers.org/browse/plato
Plato’s Concept of the Self - Understanding the Self. (2021, July 17). PHILO-Notes. Retrieved
November 4, 2021, from https://philonotes.com/2022/05/platos-concept-of-the-self

McKay, K. B. (2021, September 25). What Is a Man? The Allegory of the Chariot. The Art of
Manliness. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from
https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/manly-lessons/what-is-a-man-the-allegory-of-the-
chariot/