Session 4 The Platonic Tradition

Last night we recalled the outlines of Pythagorean philosophy as an exercise in living, the aim of which is the purification and perfection of the human soul.  Pythagorean philosophy, along with the figure of the philosopher Socrates and the body of Greek myths, all inform Plato's thought - so that's the link with this next session.  

Plato's philosophy is of an unseen world of Ideas above and within all visible existence. Our purpose is to be released from the cave of illusion, where we now sit trapped, believing ourselves to be at one with reality, whereas we are just observers of passing shadows. Leaving the cave of illusion and coming into the light of day involves unfolding the soul's innate powers and climbing the ladder of ideas into the free upper air.  For this we need to see the relationship between particular existences and universal ideas. We looked at how contemplating the little autumn leaf opens the door to a rich array of universal ideas: life, death, and ageing; parts and wholenesses; time, periodicity, succession; aesthetics and love of home. 
The character of Plato's teacher Socrates dominates the Platonic dialogues, and we also looked at why Socrates has always been an influential figure in Western thought.  He is a Christ-like figure, speaking frankly and fearlessly in the market-place, bringing philosophy, as Cicero said, down from heaven, and advocating non-retaliation for an injustice, because the soul is a free moral and intellectual agent and can only really be harmed by its own hand. There were no final answers for Socrates, but to know that one doesn't know is wisdom and the beginning of knowledge.
We read together the moving scene of Socrates' last hours in prison before he drank the hemlock, and as a philosopher departed this life with joy.  In this last dialogue with his friends and followers he taught the need to tend the soul:  "Oh, my friends, if the soul is really immortal, what care should be taken of her, not only in respect of this portion of time called life, but of eternity!"  One can see how for hundreds of years Socrates was seen both as a pre-Christian holy figure as well as a hero for secular philosophers.  (Here is an extract of an old BBC recording of the Symposium, describing Socrates' character: Symposium link)
Plato's writings influenced generation upon generation of philosophers, leading most notably to Neoplatonism and Plotinus.  Arguably Plotinus is the keystone of Western mysticism, and one of the means by which Platonism was preserved and then transmitted into Christian theology.