I have been listening to books in this series on my morning commute. It is helping me come to grips with why we as Westerners think the way we do. ( )

Platão (428-348 a.C.) ambicionava tornar-se um lutador profissional, mas não conseguiu chegar às Olimpíadas. Tentou a sorte então como poeta trágico, mas não venceu nenhum dos grandes concursos. Como último recurso, foi visitar Sócrates. Foi amor à primeira vista – o resto, como dizem, é filosofia. Esse volume apresenta essa bizarra trajetória e a obra que resultou dela.

Another freebie from Audible.com Channels. Like other books in the series so far there is an introduction followed by Plato's biography and followed up with quotes and (the same in every book) history of philosophy. Plato was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. He is best known for his work Republic which is a staple of every political science student. In it, Plato presents his "Allegory of the Cave." He also never speaks in his dialogs and uses Socrates as his voice.

The title Republic might have the reader believe that democracy might be the ideal, but Plato explains that all governments fall to tyranny. He, in fact, writes a road map to tyranny. His writings have been used as the philosophical support for tyranny. Nazism and Stalinism are examples used in the book. The best government, however, is a government by a philosopher king, but as an ideal is doubtful to exist in reality. Democracy disintegrates into tyranny as conflict arises between the rich and poor. Plato does go a bit overboard in his creation of the ideal society --everything from the indoctrination of children to creating a working and military class from those who do not make the cut to join the elite.

In a side note, I am also rereading Rousseau's On the Social Contract which also has the dubious distinction of support for tyranny by the use of the "general will." ( )

Another brief summary of a philosopher in Paul Strathorn's series. Covers Plato well and unbiased, pointing out flaws and noble ideas. ( )

Good overview of Plato's life, philosophy, and impact. Useful before reading Plato's works. ( )