The Academy

“The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.” (British philosopher A.N. Whitehead)

Plato, a Greek philosopher who lived for a time at the Syracuse court. Founded the Academy (c.387_B.C.) in Athens, the most influential and important learning instituion where he taught until his death in 347_B.C.. A pupil and friend of Socrates, and taught one of the greatest philosopher, Aristotle.

Plato produced 35 dialogues and 13 letters including:

• Early (Socratic dialogues):
  • The Apology
  • Meno
  • Gorgias
• Middle dialogues:
  • The Republic
  • Phaedo
  • Symposium
  • Timaeus
• Later dialogues:
  • The Laws
  • Parmenides

In his magnum opus, The Republic Plato argues for the philosopher-king as best kind of ruler; only a philosopher “understands the harmony of all parts of the universe with the Idea of the Good,” and therefore, “is capable of ruling the just state.”

Virtue consists in the harmony of the human soul with the universe of Ideas, which assure order, intelligence, and pattern to a world in constant flux. Supreme among them is the Idea of the Good, analogous to the sun in the physical world.