Why should a person study Plato? The benefit for your life is that it sets you free of the burden of ideas you've inherited over the years which govern and control your life. And it's hugely enjoyable.

Dr David Horan answers some questions about Plato. As a scientist he was sceptical about Plato initially; but he found the dialogue form fascinated him. Socrates would start to question someone, highlighting ignorance. David was soon gripped.

David explores the relationship between Socrates and Plato. Socrates was no respecter of persons; he would challenge all sorts of people. So in 399BC he was tried and executed. Plato was the disciple, the faithful follower, who wrote the dialogues.

How is Plato relevant today? Because questions are always relevant. Once you have a framework for questions and answers, it's always relevant and essential for every age. For example, the Republic is based on the question 'What is justice?' That's always relevant.

Socrates always said that he knew nothing. This is interesting; we can be open when we stop thinking about what we know. Socrates had no status anxiety - he had no concerns about what anyone thought about him. That makes him very rare. Because of that Socrates was able to pursue truth and wisdom through dialogue without any concern or fear.

One final phrase from Socrates: "Value wisdom and truth, more than money, reputation and honour."

David Horan has given lectures, run Plato days in Ireland and also Plato retreats internationally. He learnt Greek by reading Plato. Dr Horan has been engaged since 2008 in a new translation of the complete dialogues of Plato. View his translation here: https://www.platonicfoundation.org.

Dr Horan is also the head of the School of Philosophy and Economic Science in Ireland: https://practicalphilosophy.ie


School of Philosophy and Economic Science offers courses in practical philosophy and economics with justice as well as other subjects. It aims to approach philosophy in a practical way, encouraging students to apply philosophy in their lives. The School also introduces a mindfulness-type exercise leading eventually to mantra meditation.

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Photo credit: Thanks to Dr. Albert Ellis and to the Albert Ellis Institute

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