what do you think Plato's personality was like?

Answer 1

Plato, very bright, gifted with favor in his youth by family wealth and authority, and given great instruction during a time of dramatic intellectual growth and civic tumult, was a man of many sides.

We can look at his personality from the lens of our own era, or try to figure him out through an understanding of his own historical and cultural context.

He gave many clues to himself in the writings that survive, while others who wrote of him had specifc things to say, too.

In his own time he grew up during a time of considerable social conflict. Within his polis, people agitated for greater rights, for more equality, for a greater individual share of wealth, for influence and access to public authority. Plato himself seems to be one much affected by this. His "Republic" is in one sense a defense of aristocracy and meritocracy - he has little sympathy for those who refuse to think, refuse to strive, refuse to employ their gifts. he endorses a system of at least natural aristocracy in which those who can perform, especially nurtured with advantage that they apply, deserve authority and power. This accurately reflects his own life circumstances.

He lived in a time of serious economic and military conflict, too. Plato today would be considered a strict political "conservative." He was VERY concerned for his wealth and position. He might have had a more "liberal" aspect if he had felt secure about his life and future - but in his time, everyone knew that on a day's turning, the rich and powerful could be cast down, and Plato had no desire to be among those unfortunates. He managed to curry favor at the same time that he also challenged authority - but always in the context of attempting to promote principles and actions he felt would protect his community.

Plato's wife has been mentioned. What hasn't been mentioned is that wives of prominent Greeks practically lived in isolation, cut off from society and expected to be quiet, supportive little homemakers who were glad to get whatever their husbands offered. By this standard, Plato's wife was a loud, embarrassing, nagging, screeching barn owl. he dispised her and the home she made.

She probably had lots of reason to be that way.

Athletic, strong, inquisitive, cautious, judgemental but careful how he voiced it, self-seeking, arrogant, self-important, over-sensitive, and excessively proud ... Plato was far from a simple guy.

Answer 2

I suspect Plato may have appeared for long periods of time as a laid-back dude, probably using the time to observe and think about things. Probably periods when he was frenetically sounding off his friends, trying out ideas. Kinda like being stoned, without ever actually doing anything to be stoned.

Answer 3

Plato was a stonecutter and a war hero. He retired and went out to talk to people. We have some clues that he did not like his wife all that much, he really liked hanging out and talking about what he wanted to talk about. If you were into that, he was probably the coolest old dude around. If you didn't want to play his game, he was probably a huge pain.

Answer 4

He was probably a pain in the butt. You'd be like "Plato, could you take out the trash for me?" and he'd spend 45 minutes arguing over whether or not trash even exists, and what the concept of "out" means.

Answer 5

Child of a rich and famous family!
Pupil of Socrates, although Socrates was considered poor (financially) ad teaching the low value of money and power!
Founded the first organized University, known today, the Academia!
He was the high priest in Eleusis
HE was very thoughtful, he would not do something "crazy"!
HE was very strong and athletic, authoritative and serious!

Answer 6

One could argue that he was an anti-socialite, whose time was spent thinking beyond what most people deem to be worthwhile. On the other hand, one could also argue that he was the most interesting man on the planet to chat with. But in more of a classic, metaphysical way, not in a romantic sense.....Does this answer bore you as much as it does me? There's your answer!

Answer 7

I remember one time playing in the street, he came up behind me and stuck a stick between my legs so that I'd trip. He was kinda like that in everything he did.

Answer 8

opposite to Socrates.
hence why the schools of thought are corrupt and have been poisoned with the notion of curriculums and such like mediums for mass indoctrination !

Answer 9

Scholarly. It's hard to say, though. They had different values than we have today, and values create our personalities to a great extent.

Answer 10

Controlling, possesive, strict like a father. That's what I think, he was like.