PLATO BACKGROUND INFO:
- Born around 428 BC into a distinguished, wealthy Athenian family
- Father traced ancestry to direct line to early king of Athens, Codrus
- Had 2 brothers and 1 sister
- Father died when young, mom remarried.
- Originally wanted to be playwright but turned to philosophy after meeting Socrates.
- Original name was Aristocles meaning “best” & “renowned” but wrestling coach called him Platon in youth because of wide shoulders
- Outstanding as a youth in sports, music, academics
- Studied at the gymnasium owned by Dionysios music and poetry.
- Developed foundations of his metaphysics and epistemology by studying doctrines o fCratylus and work of Pythagoras and Parmenides
- During war with Sparta, he won Athenian prize for bravery
- Student of Socrates at age twenty in 407 BC and adopted style to philosophy and debate
- Left Athens after Socrates death, & In Syracuse he was sold into slavery but raised enough money “drachmans” to buy back freedom
- Believed that justice is the most important virtue
- Died 347 BC either in his bed while a girl played the flute to him, or at a wedding feast, or in his sleep.
http://www.creatorix.com.au/philosophy/04/04f02.html
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agexed/aee501/plato.html
http://www.egs.edu/library/plato/biography/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato
http://www.creatorix.com.au/philosophy/03/03f02.html
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agexed/aee501/socrates.html
SOCRATES (sock-ra-tees) BACKGROUND:
- Born and spent all life in Athens 469-399 BC
- Schools of Athens
- Military at age 18– hoplite soldier in Peloponnesian War against Sparta
- Son of a stonemason – poverty
- Completed two works of sculpture
- Spent time in market and gymnasia where converse with men of intellect
- People were charmed by his wit, humor, and kindly disposition
- Wife, Xanthippe
- Served on legislative council of 500
- Accused of atheist and corrupting the youth of Athens, accepted death penalty, drinking hemlock, died.
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