Plato’s PhilosophyDane Cooper

A Great Mind

Plato was born in 428/427 or 424/423 BCE in Athens

He was a great philosopher, and a mathematician in Greece

Considered one of the essential figures in the development of philosophy (especially Western tradition)

Founded the first higher institution in the Western world, The Academy in Athens

Taught by Socrates and was the teacher of Aristotle

His theories has been taught as Platonism

The Epistles

Series of 13 letters included in the Platonic corpus

The authenticity of the letter has brought up debate recently

Focus on Plato’s time in Syracuse

His influence on political figures

Much more biographical

The order is believed to go 13, 2, 11, 10, 4, 3, 7, 8 and 6 (the other 4 are considered to be fakes 1,5,9,12

The ForgeriesThe First Letter is most likely a forgery, has no supporters.

Talks about how Dionysius was rude and he will have to deal with bad omens and evil Addressed to Dionysius II of Syracuse

The Fifth Letter defends Plato’s abstinence from politics Addressed to Perdiccas III of Macedon Not many supporters of its authenticity

The Ninth Letter is written in a way many believe was not Plato Addressed to Archytas Not many supporters of its authenticity, except Cicero

The Twelfth Letter thanks Archytas for sending Plato treatises Addressed to Archytas Fairly Short Was probably forged in an attempt to make it seem like the

treatises were approved by Plato

13th 2nd and 11th The Thirteenth Letter is addressed to Dionysius II of

SyracuseSeems to be a private letterContrasts with the 7th letter, leading some to believe it is a

forgery

The Second Letter is addressed to Dionysius of Syracuse, denies that Plato slanders Dionysius/wants to repair the relationshipHas it’s critics of authenticity because it contrasts with the

seventh letter as well

The Eleventh Letter addressed to Laodamas, who requested help drawing up laws for a new colonyReferences a Socrates, but not the one we know

10th 4th and 3rd

The Tenth Letter addressed to Aristodorus, who remained loyal to an exile Only three sentences long

The Fourth Letter addressed to Dion, who was the political figure against Dionysius II of Syracuse Letter promotes Dion politically, but warns him to remember his

virtues Possibly be an open letter Again authenticity could be questioned due to differences in

seventh letter

The Third Letter addressed to Dionysius of Syracuse, complaining about claims against Plato Open letter Could be authentic

The 7th and 8th

The Seventh Letter addressed to Dion (who was assassinated) and his followersOpen letterThe longest letter and most importantDefense of Plato’s political activities in Syracuse and his

nature of philosophyUnwritten Doctrine of Plato

The Eighth Letter addressed to Dion and his followersSeeks compromise between the two parties of Dion

(democracy) and Dionysus the Younger (tyranny)The result is a monarchy limited by laws

Works Cited

Boas, George. (1949) "Fact and Legend in the Biography of Plato", The Philosophical Review 57 (5): 439-457.

Brickhouse, Thomas. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Internet Encylopedia, n.d. Web. 15 July 2015. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/plato/>.

Bury, R. G. (1929; reprinted 1942) Editor and Translator of Plato's Timaeus, Critias, Cleitophon, Menexenus, Epistles, Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Post, L. A. (1925) Thirteen Epistles of Plato. Oxford.