Plato
By: Quentin Gonzalez Period 5
Key Facts About Plato
1. Plato was born in the city of Athens, Greece in the year 428 BCE.
2. Plato's family was very involved in politics, and he was destined in life to keep the history.
3. His main teacher was Socrates, a philosopher who taught him about philosophy, politics, and the style of debate
4. One of Plato's most influential works, The Republic, discussed the virtues of justice, courage, wisdom, and moderation, of the individual and in society.
Plato's Beliefs About Government
1. Plato believed that different people had different strengths and weaknesses, and that talent- not wealth, gender, or noble birthright, determined a person's place in society.
2. He valued the importance of education in government and believed people needed to be well educated.
3. He criticized tyranny, autocracy, and even democracy, and instead supported his own form of government called a Plato's republic
Ideal Form of Government
Plato's ideal form of government would be an indirect democracy, or a republic. He believed in the fact that all people were created equal, and that everyone had the same opportunity as anyone else regardless of their gender, wealth, or social status. He also supported the idea of elected officials and felt that people could be trusted to govern.
Symbol that Represents impact on enlightenment
The Republic was one of Plato's most famous works that greatly influenced government and the Enlightenment.
Two Important Quotes
1. "Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something."
2. "We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."