Mehr lesen
Informationen zum Autor Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher born in Athens during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. In Athens, Plato founded the Academy, a philosophical school where he taught the philosophical doctrines that would later become known as Platonism. Plato (or Platon) was a pen name derived, apparently, from the nickname given to him by his wrestling coach - allegedly a reference to his physical broadness. According to Alexander of Miletus quoted by Diogenes of Sinope his actual name was Aristocles, son of Ariston, of the deme Collytus (Collytus being a district of Athens).Plato was an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms in philosophy. He raised problems for what later became all the major areas of both theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy. His most famous contribution is the Theory of forms, which has been interpreted as advancing a solution to what is now known as the problem of universals. He is also the namesake of Platonic love and the Platonic solids. Klappentext Euthydemus is Plato's defense of Socratic dialogue as a means to pursue truth.In Euthydemus, Plato has Socrates engage in a conversation with the title character and his brother Dionysodorus, both famous Sophists. They are representative of a type of argument, which Plato calls 'eristic', that emphasizes verbal trickery in order to humiliate your opponent and win your debate. This is contrasted with Socrates' dialectic, where words are a means of discerning reality, not gaining victory. In the process, Plato makes a case for the Socratic method as a means of educating youth, something he was attempting to do in his own newly-opened Academy.Presented in Plato's usual dramatic style, Euthydemus is simultaneously an engaging read and a passionate pedagogical manifesto.
Über den Autor / die Autorin
Plato, born around 428/427 BCE in Athens, was a key figure in shaping Western philosophy. Coming from an aristocratic family, he was exposed early to politics and philosophy. His relationship with Socrates was pivotal, and after Socrates' execution, Plato traveled before founding the Academy, one of the first higher learning institutions.Plato's works, including Republic, Phaedo, and Symposium, have had a profound impact on philosophy, especially through his theory of Forms, which distinguishes the eternal world of ideas from the changing physical world. Through these dialogues, he tackled justice, reality, and the soul's immortality, with Socrates often serving as his central character. His philosophy shaped not only Aristotle but generations of thinkers across many fields.Plato's influence extended into theology, political theory, and the sciences. His Academy became a hub of intellectual activity, attracting students from across the Greek world. Even today, his works, preserved for over 2,000 years, continue to inspire debate and reflection, cementing his status as one of history's most studied philosophers.
