PLATO
("Marble bust of the Greek philosopher Plato. Roman copy (1st century CE) of an original (350-340 BCE). Altes Museum, Berlin." Wikimedia Commons. 1st century CE (copy). Accessed October 5, 2025.)
Why would a born politician turn his back on politics?
428 – c. 347 B.C. · Athens
Plato was the second of the great trio of ancient Greek philosophers, between Socrates and Aristotle. Born into a distinguished Athenian family, he meant to enter political life, until the death of his teacher, Socrates, led him to conclude that good men had no place in the public eye.
The second of the great trio
- Born: 428 B.C., into a distinguished Athenian family
- Turning point: The execution of Socrates by the Athenian people in 399 B.C.
- Founded: An academy for philosophy in Athens
- Known for: Moral philosophy, epistemology and politics
- The dialogues: Socrates is the main speaker, and through them we have the account of Socrates’ final days
- Died: Around 347 B.C.
Are right and wrong the same for everyone, everywhere?
Hover or tap each idea to follow Plato’s answer
- Against the SophistsThe Sophists argued that values are relative, and that private interest is the best guide to conduct.
- Universal PrinciplesPlato answered that there are universal principles of right and wrong. Values are not situational but absolute.
- The Task of PhilosophyIt is the goal of philosophy to discover those absolute values.
- The Philosopher-MonarchFollowing this system, Plato saw the ideal government as a philosopher-monarch who, having discovered these absolutes, would use his wisdom for the common good.
- The Voice of SocratesIn Plato’s dialogues, Socrates is the main character defending Plato’s positions, and it is through the dialogues that we know of Socrates’ final days.
Plato’s work was deeply influential on the later development of Western philosophy.
His ideas informed thinkers from Philo of Larissa to Saint Augustine and Kant. Plato also mattered deeply to Pierre Goodrich: his personal library holds three complete versions of the dialogues, each with extensive notes in the margins in Goodrich’s own hand.
Where to read more about Plato and his dialogues.
- 1981An Introduction to Plato’s RepublicAnnas, Julia · Oxford University Press
- 1992The Cambridge Companion to PlatoKraut, Richard, ed. · Cambridge University Press
- 1997Complete WorksPlato, ed. John M. Cooper · Hackett Publishing
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: PlatoA scholarly entry by Richard Kraut.plato.stanford.edu
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: PlatoA detailed entry by Thomas Brickhouse and Nicholas D. Smith.iep.utm.edu
- Britannica: PlatoA biography and overview of his works and influence.britannica.com
- World History Encyclopedia: PlatoAn introduction by Joshua J. Mark.worldhistory.org
- International Plato SocietyThe scholarly society devoted to Plato, with a bibliography and links.platosociety.org
("Marble bust of the Greek philosopher Plato. Roman copy (1st century CE) of an original (350-340 BCE). Altes Museum, Berlin." Wikimedia Commons. 1st century CE (copy). Accessed October 5, 2025.)
Marble bust of Plato from the Altes Museum in Berlin, a Roman copy of a 4th-century BCE Greek original, idealizing the philosopher's noble profile
("Bust of Plato, Vatican Museum, Rome." Wikimedia Commons. Roman copy. Accessed October 5, 2025.)
Herm bust representing Plato in the Vatican Museums, a Roman copy after a late 4th-century BCE Greek original, emphasizing his intellectual gaze.
("Naples- National Museum, Plato, bronze bust (Herculaneum, 1759), No. 5274 (SM stf1507)." Wikimedia Commons. 1st century CE. Accessed October 5, 2025.)
Bronze bust of Plato discovered in Herculaneum, now in Naples' National Archaeological Museum, from 1759 excavations, showcasing Hellenistic bronze work.