The basis of the philosophy of Plato - his ideas about ideas. Theory of Plato's Ideas represents them as some divine beings, eternal, independent of space and time. They rule the Cosmos, in them the whole life of the Universe is generalized. These are eternal samples, according to which the whole variety of real things is formed from amorphous matter. They have their own existence, and things in the world exist only because they represent this or that idea, since it is present in them. An idea in relation to a sensual thing is at the same time its cause and goal, to which the being of the sensual world aspires. Ideas relate to each other according to the principle of hierarchy, coordination and submission. The highest is the idea of absolute Good, a source of beauty, truth and harmony.
The theory of knowledge of Plato is built by him as a theory of remembrance, while the rational part of the soul is the guiding principle. Plato believed that the soul is immortal. Until the moment of human birth, she is in a different place where she can observe the world of eternal ideas. During the period of life on Earth, the soul can comprehend the idea as a memory of what he saw before. Knowledge, as a recollection of what was before birth, in Plato is one of the proofs of the existence of an immortal soul.
The ideal state of Plato
He presented the theory of harmonious structure in the “State” and later developed it in the “Laws”. Real political art is, ultimately, the process of educating the soul, and therefore Plato puts forward the idea of the conformity of true philosophy to real politics. He writes that only when the politician is a philosopher, and vice versa, it is possible to build a real state, which will be based on the highest values of the Good and Truth. To build an ideal state for Plato means to know a person and his place in the Universe.
The state of the thinker, like the soul, has a structure consisting of three parts. The entire population in the City-State is divided into three classes: artisans, farmers, warriors and rulers (philosophers-sages). The harmonious coexistence of these three classes should ensure a fair state system.
The estate of artisans-farmers is formed of people in whom the beginning is lusty. The estate of warriors is formed of individuals in whom the beginning of the will prevails. The duty of a warrior is to protect the state from both internal and external danger. According to Plato, only aristocrats can rule a state as wise and best citizens. And rulers should be those who love their City-State more than others, who are ready to fulfill their duty with the greatest diligence. But the most important thing is that they know how to know and contemplate the Good, that is, the rational principle should prevail in them and they can be called sages. So, the ideal state of Plato is such a social system where moderation dominates in the first estate, strength and courage in the second, and wisdom in the third.
The idea of justice is that every resident must do what is proper for him; this applies to citizens in the City-State and to parts of the soul. The ideal state of Plato must have perfect education and upbringing. Plato attaches great importance to the education of soldiers as the most active part of citizens, from which rulers can later emerge. The training and education of rulers should combine practical skills with the study of philosophy.
At the end of the work he writes that it is not so important what the ideal state of Plato should be, it is enough that at least one person lives according to the laws of this City-State, that is, according to the laws of Justice, Good and Good. Before arising in external reality, the ideal City-State of the thinker must be born in the soul of every person. On these principles, the ideal state of Plato is built.