Why Read Plato?

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: www.platonicfo....
Dr Horan is also the head of the School of Philosophy and Economic Science in Ireland: practicalphilo...
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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#Plato #Socrates #Platodialogues #platonic #greekphilosophy #ancientgreek #ancientphilosophy #platostudies #practicalphilosophy

[@Philosophycourse]

Has this video persuaded you to read some of Plato's dialogues? Let us know what you found. Thanks for watching.

[@nasrinnaaseh8200]

Thank you for this video. I studied Plato with this extraordinary teacher Dr. Horan in Ireland years ago. In addition to the subject being intriguing, the discussions were eye opening and life changing. Thank you for your life’s work Dr. Horan and sharing it with us🙏

[@Philosophycourse]

Nasrin, thanks for that great comment.

[@elizabethmazzola647]

The question - What is Justice? - is crucial for us today. Thank you, Dr. Horan for staying on the case, ensuring that assumptions, flawed ideas and ill-informed judgements are scrutinised and challenged through the lenses of wisdom and Plato.

[@Philosophycourse]

That's great to hear. If you're interested in a different definition of justice, have a look at Plato's Laws, 863 and onwards.

[@Philosophycourse]

Glad it was helpful, and yes, relevant today too.

[@fidelmaheaney257]

An impactful and inspirational interview - thank you.

[@Philosophycourse]

Great to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for your comment.

[@Mo.Faried]

I can't agree more. Reading Plato is a transformative experience that made a big difference in my life.

[@Philosophycourse]

Great to hear this.

[@TheTruthIsNowHateSpeech]

Very Interesting!

[@Philosophycourse]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching.

[@hotsauce0606]

the audio quality is awful can barely hear him

[@nts4906]

Funny that philosophers and academics in modernity were taught Plato so much that there was a counter-movement in Nietzsche, Heidegger, Deleuze, etc who would critique Plato’s philosophy as over-idealistic, dependent on the pure forms. In turn too few people end up studying the classics because of all the criticism of them and the desire to create the new. But as an academic exercise, I cannot think of much more valuable than reading through Plato’s repertoire. Plato’s dialogues unfold time after time. They never read the same twice.

[@Philosophycourse]

Thanks for that interesting and thoughtful comment. David Horan would surely completely agree that it's really valuable to read Plato's dialogues.

[@ishineandburn]

I'm sure someone once said that all Western philosophy and ideas are a footnote to Plato

[@teresabird2670]

I’ve been, lucky enough to study Plato with Dr David Horan in Australia, Greece and Ireland. Dr Horan is a genius and a very humble man, his wife Francis is also extraordinary. I throughly Recomended anyone to do this, you do not need to be an academic just open minded. Such great growth and memories. Thank you Dr Horan, Francis and all the wonderful people who made this possible.