Finding The True Meaning And Value Of Life In Plato's Works

The universal question, “What is the meaning of life?” has been questioned since the beginning of civilization. Answers given by most individuals in today’s society dissent greatly from the answers of Roman and Greek civilizations thousands of years back. Great philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, along with Roman Stoics have contributed what we believe provides our life value. However, each philosopher provides their own perspective of life that raises several questions by many for years. Through the writings of Xenophon and Plato, we are able to learn Socrates’ visions that he had of life. One principle notion from Socrates is that the meaning of life is through thought and our perception. With that being said, what we are able to acquire from Socrates that he believed individuals will only do what's good along with what's right to attain happiness, however, it's finding what's the true human ‘good’? 

Through Socrates' teachings he was in hopes others learn that there was a distinction between one's opinion and true knowledge. He believed that through questioning other's opinions and showing others their opposition correct it would begin the reality of knowledge. Ultimately, Socrates focuses on one’s ethics which is our morals. According to Socrates, it's our morals that make life what it is meant to be. He believes that if one does wrong then they clearly don't perceive or haven't experienced the good of life. That said, there's no clarity to that individual on the virtues of affection, morality, or anything else ethical. However, if one never does anything wrong and is almost always good then they'll never have reason to try and do wrong throughout their lifetime. 

Given that Plato was also a student of Socrates, his teachings and writing also intertwine with Socrates. According to Plato, the importance of life would be best portrayed in his sixth book the Republic in which he explains that a morally good person enjoys a sort of inner harmony, whereas a wicked person is “disharmonious” and “fundamentally at odds with himself and the world” (Pg 32). In addition, Plato looks for answers regarding what is the ideal government, fair individuality, and what's good for the human soul. The Republic looks towards the answer of government being based on justice, wisdom, courage, and temperance. Plato believed happiness would be achieved this ideal government which had an abolition of families and personal property. Plato’s visible and intelligible worlds is the concept of the continuation of discovering truth and knowledge that leads to life’s happiness. Within the visible world, we are able to solely have an opinion and with the intelligible world, we discover the knowledge. Once that ultimate knowledge is discovered then one will have good and meaning in their life. 

Plato wants individuals to discover the reality beyond their existence. On the other hand, Aristotle thoughts differ greatly from those of Plato and Socrates. His concepts form a naturalist view and the value of life to Aristotle shapes around the thought of the body’s soul, thinking, and one’s perception. One can properly take in what they see from the outside world and as well what they appear in themselves. Aristotle disagrees with Plato’s The Republic during which plurality is what's required. He claims that Plato’s theories wouldn't enable happiness due to too many flaws. With that being said, Aristotle believed that the good life was the city-state and it can't be done alone, however, solely as a community. To Aristotle, the value of life begins with human action. Happiness may be obtained first through personal experiences. He describes that it's not just one factor alone that leads to happiness however multiple things such as pleasure and work. Aristotle emphasizes that life’s meaning lies in our relationship and lovers. Individuals are able to have emotions in their souls like other animals, however, humans differ from that they can control emotions. Since humans can control their emotions and wishes properly it leads one to moral virtues.

 The Roman Stoics philosophy revolved around the conception of the logos. Everything that enclosed one on earth including God was materialism according to Stoics. Virtus was well respected by the Romans and with virtus being acknowledged one might accept their life’s’ state of affairs. The main goal for the Stoic was happiness, nonetheless this happiness may solely be achieved through the search of virtue. This ideal of living with virtue meant living justifiably within logos. It described by the Stoics to preserve happiness if to avoid feeling and passion. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Roman Stoics philosophies may have formed several ideals of what's thought to be the meaning of life yet they all, in some ways, conform to each other.. Theories from Plato to Aristotle to The Stoics have given the people over the past thousands of years to today food for thought.