Did Plato Invent Socrates?

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SUMMARY

Plato likely invented the character of Socrates to enhance his own reputation and to lend credibility to his philosophical ideas. This assertion is supported by the observation that Socrates serves as a mouthpiece for Plato's thoughts. Additionally, the contributions of contemporaries like Aristophanes and Xenophon challenge the notion that Socrates is purely a fictional construct. The discussion emphasizes the importance of examining historical texts critically to understand the relationship between Plato and Socrates.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical philosophy and its key figures
  • Familiarity with the works of Plato, particularly "The Apology" and "The Republic"
  • Knowledge of Aristophanes' plays and their critique of Socratic philosophy
  • Awareness of Xenophon's writings on Socrates
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical context of Plato's writings and their impact on Western philosophy
  • Examine Aristophanes' plays for insights into public perception of Socrates
  • Study Xenophon's "Memorabilia" for a different portrayal of Socrates
  • Analyze the philosophical arguments presented in "The Republic" regarding the nature of truth and morality
USEFUL FOR

Philosophy students, educators, historians, and anyone interested in the dynamics between Plato and Socrates in classical thought.

jduster
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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?
 
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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.
 

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