Philosopher's Poll - #2: Plato

[k-onmmunist]

the disciple of socrates and one of the most influential philosophers ever. believed that ideas are eternal, the soul is everlasting and society is best governed by 'philosopher kings'. his ideas would go on to influence many spiritual thinkers.

#1: Socrates - 75% approval

[DC Al Fine]

Disapprove but don't have a strong opinion either way.

[Tokugawa Sexgod Ieyasu]

Approve of Simone Weilified Plato, disapprove of most other Platos. Voted negative on balance.

[falling apart like the ashes of American flags]

Ugh. Just awful. HP.

[DemPGH]

Negative. For a lot of reasons, but I would have been a follower of Democritus.

[Insula Dei]

Seems rather a lot like asking one about his opinion of the Atlantic Ocean.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

I'm thinking of a certain Alfred North Whitehead quote.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I'm thinking of a certain Alfred North Whitehead quote.

And is that good or bad

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Neutral.  I don't agree with him on "philosopher-kings", but I understand where he came from on that.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Given that much of what we know of Socrates is from Plato, who puts his ideas into Socrates' mouth, how do we know which is which? How can Plato be doing so poorly, while Socrates does so well? 

[Beet]

Isn't Plato credited for basically inventing the concept of the soul? I've always found it strange, why anyone would conclude that there is some spiritual entity associated with each person... not so much that one could imagine such a thing, but the firm, insistent belief on it in Western culture. I associate this with the influence of Plato. Am I wrong to?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Isn't Plato credited for basically inventing the concept of the soul? I've always found it strange, why anyone would conclude that there is some spiritual entity associated with each person... not so much that one could imagine such a thing, but the firm, insistent belief on it in Western culture. I associate this with the influence of Plato. Am I wrong to?

The idea that each person having some sort of a soul is a much more ancient idea.  Socrates (or Plato) made an argument for it being a person's real essence, being distinct from the body and immortal that ended up being very influential.

[Chief Justice PiT]

Isn't Plato credited for basically inventing the concept of the soul? I've always found it strange, why anyone would conclude that there is some spiritual entity associated with each person... not so much that one could imagine such a thing, but the firm, insistent belief on it in Western culture. I associate this with the influence of Plato. Am I wrong to?

The idea that each person having some sort of a soul is a much more ancient idea.  Socrates (or Plato) made an argument for it being a person's real essence, being distinct from the body and immortal that ended up being very influential.

     Indeed, the Book of John is steeped in Platonist philosophy. People today underestimate how much people in Roman times took Plato seriously, and how much that influence has been transmitted to the modern day.