Plato

(427 - 347 BCE)

Timothy H. Wilson

The Death of Socrates (1787)Jacques-Louis DavidMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Plato is arguably the greatest thinker in the Western tradition, certainly its most influential. As A.N. Whitehead famously said, "The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato." What is perhaps less often recognized is that Plato also stands as one of the Western tradition's greatest literary artists as well. In this sense, it is important to pay attention to the "dramatic" elements of a Platonic dialogue (see Reading a Platonic Dialogue).

As a result of his philosophical as well as literary preeminence, there are five Platonic dialogues on my list of the list of 101 Greatest Books of the Western Canon:

- The Apology of Socrates
- Phaedo
- Symposium
- Republic
- Phaedrus

In addition, his entire oeuvre is included in my list of 1001 Great Books of the Western Canon.

Background Lectures

Reading a Platonic Dialogue

An introduction to successful strategies for interpreting a Platonic dialogue. The approach presented here follows the lead of Leo Strauss and John Sallis in paying particular attention to the dramatic aspect of the dialogues. This is coupled with a Heideggerian approach to the unsaid, ontological elements of the dialogues.

The Platonic Dialogues in Dramatic Order

A table that organizes all of the Platonic dialogues in their dramatic order, according to Catherine H. Zuckert – with indications of the fundamental shifts in the thinking of Socrates – with ancient sub-titles, classifications and synopses provided by William Wenton.

Techne in Aristotle and Plato

An analysis of the concept of techne (art or skill) in Aristotle's Physics in relation the order of things as named by Phusis (nature). This notion of techne is then compared to that of Plato as it is understood in the Republic. There techne arises in relation the order of things as named by Dike (justice).

On Heidegger's Deconstruction of Plato: "Plato's Doctrine of Truth"

An interpretation of Heidegger's approach to Plato. Heidegger's confrontation with the "allegory of the cave" in Plato's Republic provides an opportunity to understand what, for Heidegger, is the ultimate relationship between philosophy and the political sphere.

On Derrida's Deconstruction of Plato: "Plato's Pharmacy"

An interpretation of Derrida's approach to Plato. Derrida's interpretation of the Phaedrus hinges on the "undecidability" of terms and concepts linked to the Pharmakon (poison / cure).