Did Plato Invent Socrates?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jduster
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Reality
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the authenticity of Socrates' biography, suggesting that Plato may have crafted an idealized version of Socrates to enhance his own reputation and lend credibility to his philosophical ideas. The argument posits that Plato's portrayal serves dual purposes: elevating his status as a student of a revered figure and using Socrates as a vehicle for his own thoughts. Counterarguments reference Aristophanes and Xenophon, both of whom provide alternative perspectives on Socrates, implying that these sources challenge the notion of a fabricated biography. The conversation highlights the complexities of historical interpretation and the influence of key figures in shaping philosophical narratives.
jduster
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
While the Socrates we know is a paragon and martyr, his biography may not be real.

I suspect Plato created a master philosopher for two reasons:

1. To give more weight to himself. Being a student of a heroic certainly boosted his reputation.
2. To give more weight to his ideas. By using Socrates as a mouthpeice.

What do you think of this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think Aristophanes proves you wrong.
 
Xenophon was also a student of Socrates.
 
Does anyone read the rules?
 
Evo said:
Does anyone read the rules?

A long long time ago.
 

Thread 'Predictions for the Nobel Prize in Physics 2025'

Similar to the 2024 thread, here I start the 2025 thread. As always it is getting increasingly difficult to predict, so I will make a list based on other article predictions. You can also leave your prediction here. Here are the predictions of 2024 that did not make it: Peter Shor, David Deutsch and all the rest of the quantum computing community (various sources) Pablo Jarrillo Herrero, Allan McDonald and Rafi Bistritzer for magic angle in twisted graphene (various sources) Christoph...
View full post »
Thread 'My experience as a hostage'

Thread 'My experience as a hostage'

I believe it was the summer of 2001 that I made a trip to Peru for my work. I was a private contractor doing automation engineering and programming for various companies, including Frito Lay. Frito had purchased a snack food plant near Lima, Peru, and sent me down to oversee the upgrades to the systems and the startup. Peru was still suffering the ills of a recent civil war and I knew it was dicey, but the money was too good to pass up. It was a long trip to Lima; about 14 hours of airtime...
View full post »

Similar threads

Who Started Logic: Plato or Aristotle?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Philosophy and Physics-physics needs philosophy?
Replies
2
Views
3K
Did Jesus Study with Socrates and Plato?
Replies
42
Views
5K
Philosophy Playing Cards Design: Looking for Feedback
Replies
15
Views
7K
The Scientist as Hero - or not
Replies
1
Views
3K
I Lorentz Transformation: Premises + Derivation
Replies
5
Views
2K
Should the public know what you are thinking and concluding?
Replies
10
Views
2K
What Miraculous Experiments Did Nikola Tesla Conduct in His 1899 Lab?
Replies
8
Views
9K
Programs I chose math instead of physics. Was it a mistake?
Replies
9
Views
3K
What Attracts You to Oregon?
Replies
17
Views
8K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top