Can you name me a book written by the great Philosopher Socrates who lived in the 3rd century before Christ? Well, u can't, because he never wrote anything? You say what?? Then how do we know so much about his thoughts and ideas? It is through his very famous student Plato. Plato immortalized the philosophy of Socrates in his famous compilation called the "Dialogues." It is in these Dialogues that Plato creates a fictitious setting of discussions (dialogues) supposed to have taken place between his tutor and different intelligent and erudite thinkers of his time that is contemporary Greeks and other islanders. "Republic" and the "Symposium" along with "Critias" are his famous ones, which have shaped western philosophical thought for centuries and shaped the way of looking at the world.
In the Republic, Plato discusses the famous idea of Socrates that the best form of government is a republic and the best rulers are also good thinkers, his republic would be ruled best when Kings would be philosophers. The concept of philosophy at the time did not mean quite what it has come to mean today, a man cut off from the world immersed in his books little to do with action. Philosophy meant active thinking, first and foremost questioning the norms, questioning your own assumptions and then realizing that we don't know much. Socrates always had an irritating persona as shown by Plato, that of a person who poses to be stupid and ignorant, he asks so many questions of his opponents that they tire of him and get angry with him, but in the process are also able to question their own deeply held beliefs which may not be based on truth.
In the Critias Plato first discusses the idea of Atlantis the lost island that was supposed to be situated somewhere beyond the Pillars of Hercules (present day Strait of Gibraltar). The Atlanteans were a superior race according to legend. They had a city on the hill surrounded by perfect concentric water ways, they had mastered flight, and lived in luxury, abundance and peace. They were also said to be guardians of secret knowledge. The legend (as no one can't be really 100% sure about its veracity) was ancient even in the time of Plato, they have seemed to lived sometimes in the 9Th century before Christ. It is said that the island was sunk in a catastrophic storm and disappeared under the ocean. Since that time the myth of Atlantis has held thousands of people captive, is it true? was there such a perfect society ever or is it just a fantasy a wish for a utopia that has haunted mankind forever. It is imperative to ponder over this, the fact that man has always desired a way of life that to him borders on perfection and that ironically always has eluded him and probably do so till kingdom come. So, next time you despair over the situation around you and mourn the depravity of society just think people have been lamenting for centuries and nothing much has changed, that should sober you all a bit!
I personally find the Atlantis story fascinating! if not for any thing else merely for its dramatic quality, I want to believe in it, and I want to find out one day that some scientist or mad enthusiast has discovered the lost Continent. There is a major Atlantis cult in the world you can google it and get the whole story and hey if for nothing else you will sound well-read. So go on search for it.
In the Republic, Plato discusses the famous idea of Socrates that the best form of government is a republic and the best rulers are also good thinkers, his republic would be ruled best when Kings would be philosophers. The concept of philosophy at the time did not mean quite what it has come to mean today, a man cut off from the world immersed in his books little to do with action. Philosophy meant active thinking, first and foremost questioning the norms, questioning your own assumptions and then realizing that we don't know much. Socrates always had an irritating persona as shown by Plato, that of a person who poses to be stupid and ignorant, he asks so many questions of his opponents that they tire of him and get angry with him, but in the process are also able to question their own deeply held beliefs which may not be based on truth.
In the Critias Plato first discusses the idea of Atlantis the lost island that was supposed to be situated somewhere beyond the Pillars of Hercules (present day Strait of Gibraltar). The Atlanteans were a superior race according to legend. They had a city on the hill surrounded by perfect concentric water ways, they had mastered flight, and lived in luxury, abundance and peace. They were also said to be guardians of secret knowledge. The legend (as no one can't be really 100% sure about its veracity) was ancient even in the time of Plato, they have seemed to lived sometimes in the 9Th century before Christ. It is said that the island was sunk in a catastrophic storm and disappeared under the ocean. Since that time the myth of Atlantis has held thousands of people captive, is it true? was there such a perfect society ever or is it just a fantasy a wish for a utopia that has haunted mankind forever. It is imperative to ponder over this, the fact that man has always desired a way of life that to him borders on perfection and that ironically always has eluded him and probably do so till kingdom come. So, next time you despair over the situation around you and mourn the depravity of society just think people have been lamenting for centuries and nothing much has changed, that should sober you all a bit!
I personally find the Atlantis story fascinating! if not for any thing else merely for its dramatic quality, I want to believe in it, and I want to find out one day that some scientist or mad enthusiast has discovered the lost Continent. There is a major Atlantis cult in the world you can google it and get the whole story and hey if for nothing else you will sound well-read. So go on search for it.
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