O Platonism designates a philosophical current based on the ideas of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Plato (428 a. C.-347 a. a.), disciple of Sócrates (470 a. C-399 a. Ç).
Plato's Academy
The “Academy of Plato” was founded in Athens by the philosopher around 385 BC. C., first designated to worship the Greek Muses and the God Apollo.
Although he founded it with characteristics of worship to the gods, the place was considered the first university in Western history.
In such a way, at the Platonic Academy, philosophers met to discuss the development of philosophy and the thought of Plato, one of the most important pillars of Western philosophy.
Thus, there were debates on the most diverse themes of philosophy. Plato's Academy lasted about 9 centuries and was closed in 529 AD. a., by the Byzantine emperor Justiniano I.
Periods of Platonism
Platonism brings together the various approaches to Plato's theory: metaphysics, rhetoric, ethics, aesthetics, logic, politics,
dialectic and duality (body and soul), being classified into three periods, namely:- Ancient Platonism (4th century a. Ç. until the first half of the 1st century a. Ç.)
- Middle Platonism (1st and 2nd centuries d. Ç.)
- Neoplatonism (3rd centuries d. Ç. and VI d.c)
Theory of Ideas
Undoubtedly, the Theory of Ideas or Theory of Forms is the proposition developed by Plato that stands out the most, since several other thoughts related to his philosophy arise from it.
For Plato, there are two worlds, that is, reality was divided into two parts:
- O sensitive world (material world), mediated by the autonomous forms we find in nature, perceived by the five senses.
- O world of ideas (intelligible reality) called the “ideal world”, that is, it approaches the idea of perfection of something.
Thus, according to him, the supreme and absolute truth beyond happiness is only possible to find from the world of ideas, where the essence of things is located.
In such a way, what we perceive in the sensible or material world is misleading, illusory and unstable. While in the world of ideals, happiness is achieved by finding the supreme knowledge of reality, which corresponds to the idea of good.
In short, through knowledge it is possible to transcend the material world to the world of ideals and contemplate perfect ideas, thus achieving happiness.
Soul Theory
In Plato's philosophy we find the duality between the soul and the body. According to him, the human being was immortal and essentially soul, hence it belonged to the intelligible world (apprehended by the intellect) and not the sensible world (apprehended by the senses).
According to the philosopher, the soul was divided into three parts and, by harmonizing these three parts, it was possible to find happiness, good:
- concupiscent soul: located in the womb, the lustful soul was related to carnal desires.
- irascible soul: located in the chest, the irascible soul was related to the passions.
- rational soul: located in the head, the rational soul was related to knowledge.
Thus, with the elevation of the soul to the world of ideas, through the contemplation of perfect ideas, it would be possible to reach the supreme idea of the good.
Plato and Politics
In politics Plato contributed his humanistic way of reflecting on man and a just society.
For him, Politics was considered one of the noblest activities, since it was related to the polis, that is, the Greek cities and the organization of citizens' lives.
In his work "the republic”, reflects on the construction of the good for all citizens, the social function of each one, as well as the basic activities carried out in the polis.
Thus, Plato characterized the essential activities of the polis in three instances, which took into account the aptitude of each:
- polis administration
- city defense
- Production of materials and food
See below an excerpt from the Work "the republic”:
“When we founded the city, we did not aim to make a single class eminently happy, but, as much as possible, the whole city. In fact, we thought that only in such a city would we find justice and in the worst constituted city, injustice. (...). Now we think that we model the city happy, not setting aside a small number of its inhabitants to make them happy, but considering it as a whole.”
Plato's Dialogues
Most of Plato's work was developed through the Dialogues, texts in which he develops his ideas, philosophizing about human nature and existence, as well as the society that surrounds him.
Among the dialogues, the following stand out: Apology to Socrates, The Banquet, Gorgias, Filebus, Phaedo, Republic, Protagoras, among others.
Interested? Toda Matéria has other texts that can help:
- What is Philosophy?
- The Origin of Philosophy
- ancient philosophy
- What is Manicheism?
- Philosophy in Enem
- Philosophy issues that fell in Enem