Plato's Legitimate Name Of Abstocles

Plato’s legitimate name was Aristocles, but the world recognizes him as Plato. He was born around 428 B.C. in Athens, Greece, and has been regarded greatly for his significant contributions to Ancient Greece and western philosophy. He grew up during the midst of the Peloponnesian War, when Sparta defeated Athens, and formulated several of his theories at the end of the war. Both his parents came from Greek aristocracy, which allowed him to be heavily educated in vast subjects. This helped Plato establish a firm foundation on the importance of philosophy, mathematics, politics, and more. Not only did Plato learn these denoting subjects, but were taught from brilliant philosophers at that time, such as Cratylus, Parmenides, and the Pythagoras.
Like all sons of Greek aristocracy, Plato initially intended to go into politics, following the footsteps of his parents. However, his whole life altered when he met and studied with the profound philosopher, Socrates. Under his wing, Plato was educated and well-informed in his intellect and theories on political as well as moral philosophy, such as justice, courage, and virtue. He studied under him for almost a decade until his execution by the Thirty Tyrants, who ran an oligarchical tyranny following their victory of the Peloponnesian War, for “corrupting the youth” and “introducing new gods.” He was so horrified by the regime of the Thirty Tyrants that he abandoned direct involvement in politics and turned to writing and education. This ignited his 12 year travel, where he sought out prestigious philosophers that helped establish his dialogues. After his travels, he returned to Athens and founded the philosophical school, The Academy. He created the school in order to teach his philosophical understanding of certain topics, such as justice, classical republicanism, civic virtue, and challenged his scholars to develop a new understanding of the universe. One of his greatest pupils was Aristotle, who expanded his teachings after Plato’s death and created the idea of having three branches of government. Over the next twenty six years, Plato’s philosophical studies became more prominent and ignited the beginning of several eminent dialogues. One notable dialogue was The Republic, which focuses on topics such as justice, the order and character of the ideal city-state, and the just man. His works have greatly contributed to the development of modern-day American government through his ideas of classical republicanism and has influenced several American policies, such as welfare and economic equality.Traditionally, Plato was for a government, “res publica,” which was Latin for “that which belongs to the people,” where the people represented an organized society established on justice and consideration for the common good. He also placed great emphasis on the importance of civic virtue, which is the standard of righteous behavior in connection to a citizen’s involvement with society. In a modern day perspective, Plato would have been enlightened by the fact that American government follows a classical republican setting, while promoting the common good and the general welfare. American taxes, stated in Article I, Section 8 for instance, are implemented in the U.S. to improve the general welfare, by obligating those in the upper class to pay more taxes so that those in the lower class can make a living. The term welfare, according to the Constitution, is attributed to government programs to support the poor, disabled , and jobless. The Social Security Act, passed in 1935 by President Roosevelt, is another example that provides for the general welfare. This act, however, established a system that allows states to make more sufficient provisions for the old, blind, dependent, crippled, and many more. Furthermore, his works have contributed to the concept of including representatives of the people that work in the government to make sure that the people’s voices and ideas are heard. Unfortunately, Plato would have been astounded by the growing number of young people who do not vote or have an interest in their government, even though they have the opportunity to. According to The Republic, having civic virtue was one of the key elements that make up a prosperous government, given that it followed a “res publica” system. Another challenge that Plato would have been dismayed about would be the growing gap of economic disparity amongst people even though laws have been implemented to prevent that. He believed that wealth should be divided equally in a society, even though a hierarchy was implemented. Plato believed in the government of classical republicanism and hoped to advance his theories on egalitarianism and promote general welfare.

Oral:
Good morning esteemed philosophers.
My name is Aristocles, but many people recognize me by the name Plato. I was born in the city of Athens around 428 B.C., during the midst of the Peloponnesian War, and formulated several of my theories at the end of the war. Both my parents were politically active and of noble lineage, which allowed me to be heavily educated in rigorous courses. This helped me establish a firm foundation on the importance of philosophy, mathematics, politics, and more. Like all noble men, I initially intended to go into politics. However, my whole life changed when I met the incredible philosopher, Socrates. Under his wing, I was well-informed of his intellect and theories on political as well as moral philosophy, such as justice, courage, and virtue. He guided my studies for almost a decade until his execution by the Thirty Tyrants, for “corrupting the youth” and “introducing new gods.” I was so appalled by the regime of the Thirty Tyrants that I abandoned direct involvement in politics and turned to writing and education. This ignited my 12 year travel, where I soughted out prestigious philosophers that helped construct my dialogues. After my trip, I went back to Athens and formed the The Academy. I created this institution l in order to teach my philosophical understanding of certain topics, consisting of justice, classical republicanism, and civic virtue. I challenged my scholars to develop a new understanding of the universe. I believe that knowledge
cannot be attained by only contemplation but through discussions, teachings, and research. One of my greatest students was Aristotle, who expanded my teachings and created the idea of three branches of government.
Over the next twenty six years, my studies became more prominent and I began to write several more dialogues.
One dialogue I treasure is The Republic, where I focus on the topics: justice and the order and character of the ideal city-state. My works have contributed immensely to modern-day American government through classical republicanism. Classical republicanism is the idea that a government should be based on the views of the majority, while the people should give up all private interests if it is not consistent with the common good. Likewise, I have influenced several American policies, for example, such as welfare and economic equality. I sincerely stress the importance of civic virtue in a nation, as well, which is essentially the norm of ethical behavior in connection to a citizen’s association with society. Today in American government, however, citizens have begun to grow less and less concern for their government and have drastically cut efforts to express the greatest civic opportunity given to them: the power to vote. The growing percentage of eligible voters who do not vote argue that they are ill, busy, are not registered, or that they just do not care about their government. To resolve this frightening issue, politicians can pass laws that help aid those who struggle to register and vote, such as the Motor Voter Act of 1993, which enabled Americans to automatically register as voters when they received their driver’s license. Emphasized in The Republic,
people who set aside their personal life by emphasizing citizenship and civic virtue in a society for the common good are exemplifying classical republicanism as well as the characteristics of a just man.
John Rawls:
Your philosophy states many ideas from the liberal tradition, such as your theory on justice as fairness. You elaborated this philosophy by stating how a society of independent citizens hold fair and necessary rights, such as giving benefits to the least advantaged, to cooperate within an egalitarian community. By stating this, you definitely oppose John Stuart Mill’s philosophy on utilitarianism, which is the idea that society will progress if the majority is satisfied. However, Martin Van Buren, the successor of Jackson as president in the mid 1800s, argued that as a realist, “a party cannot aspire to pleasing all the people all the time.” In what ways do you suppose that you can develop an egalitarian society that keeps both the rich and poor happy? I agree with your ideas on economic equality, where the rich should help the poor essentially, but by putting so much effort and time into those in poverty, wouldn’t the upper class become discontent with giving up their money for those who don’t work? Do you believe that the rich should pay more taxes in order to help those below the poverty line?