Plato

Module Plato Plato is the epitome of Western science and philosophy. As a matter of fact, the genesis and evolution of Western philosophy starts with Plato before graduating to later thinkers who followed and built on the foundations he laid. Together with Socrates and Aristotle, who was his student, Plato defined philosophy like no one else could at the time (Pojman and Vaughn 47). To illustrate his brilliance, it is often said that in his thoughts received little to no criticism because few philosophical minds could rival his. His only serious rival was Socrates, who also possessed a rare intellect that was ahead of its time. Plato’s thoughts and theories have been used to teach many subjects, from religion to mathematics.
Plato’s dialogues, in which he addressed almost all controversial philosophical topics of his time, have become the bread and butter of modern philosophers. The dialogues contain critical and thought-provoking analyses of intricate subjects, some of which were considered “ untouchable” at the time. However, the application of the dialogues is not restricted to philosophy (Pojman and Vaughn 34). Any normal person can use the thoughts they contain to develop or enhance critical thinking skills and to gain a clear perspective of life. For instance, the Apology, the Symposium, the Cratylus, and the Phaedrus can be used to improve students’ critical thinking capacities and encourage them to consider philosophy as a crucial aspect of life. Plato’s teachings embody the triumphs of the human race in trying to harness the power of the mind (Pojman and Vaughn 26). They also represent the endless possibilities and capacities of human intellect, and encourage us to question and debate everything around us.
Work Cited
Pojman, Louis P., and Lewis Vaughn. Philosophy: The Quest for Truth. 9th ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2013. Print.