INTRODUCTION TO PLATO

Picture
The British philosophy Alfred North Whitehead once famously said that all Western philosophy can be understood as a series of footnotes to Plato.  While Socrates is considered the "Father of Western Philosophy,"  it was Plato who demonstrated that philosophy was concerned with every conceivable aspect of life.  In master-works like The Republic and The Phaedo, Plato addresses questions of metaphysics, epistemology, politics, religion, aesthetics, human nature, and life after death. Throughout the centuries, philosophers have agreed or disagreed with Plato's positions on these issues, but one thing that no one would deny is the significant role that this great thinker played in shaping the discipline of philosophy.
As you read, be sure that you are able to answer the following questions:   

  1. Background on Plato:  What was Plato's relationship to Socrates?  What philosophical school did Plato found in Athens?
  2. What are dialogues?  What is the role that Socrates plays in Plato's early and later dialogues?
  3. When Plato talks about the "Sensible World" and the "World of the Forms", what does he mean?
  4. How does Plato use the Divided Line and the Myth of the Cave to explain his theory of reality?  
©  Michael S. Russo, 2013.  All of the content on this webpage is copyright.  The materials on this webpage may not be modified, posted or transmitted without the prior consent of the author.  Permission is granted to print out copies for educational purposes and for personal use only. No permission is granted for commercial use.