A. PLATO
1. Family
It was believed that Plato's parents were Ariston and Perictione and both sides of the family claimed to trace their ancestry back to Poseidon. He had two brothers, Glaucon and Adeimantus, and a sister, Potone. He came from one of the wealthiest and politically active families in Athens. Plato was actually named Aristocles after his Grandfather. The name Platon (broad) was given to him by his wrestling coach for having a robust figure. According to Diogenes’ sources, Plato derived his name from the breadth of his eloquence or else because he had a broad forehead.
He was born in Athens, Greece supposedly dating from 428-427 BC in the era of ancient philosophy in the region of western philosophy.
2. Plato as a writer/philosopher
Plato was a superb writer, and his works are part of the world's greatest literatures. His works are in the form of dialogues and epistles. Some of his most notable works are The Republic, Phaedo, Symposium, Phaedrus, Timaeus, and Philepbus.
3. Plato's Academy
The academy is where Plato delivered his lectures. Plato's academy was exclusive, not open to the public. It was also believed that above the academy's door was an inscription by Plato himself, saying 'Let no one who is not a geometer enter'. It could probably be translated as 'let no unfair or unjust person enter' and this quote was connected with his teachings on being good or a justified man. There was also a distinction between senior and junior members. Two women are known to have studied with Plato at the Academy, Axiothea of Phlius and Lasthenia of Mantinea. In the academy, Plato posed problems to be studied and solved by his students. There is evidence of lectures given, most notably Plato's lecture "On the Good"; but probably the use of dialectic was more common
4. Plato's points on poets and poetry
• Plato's objection to Poetry from the point of view of Education
He condemned poetry as fostering evil habits and vices in children. Homer's...