It is believed that Plato’s philosophy has major influence on western philosophers. Then, western philosophers influenced their civilization and culture with those thoughts and ideas. So indirectly Plato’s philosophy has an impact on civilization and culture of the West. I think this is not true. Plato didn’t make poets and artists part of his ‘ideal republic’ because he used to believe that art can stir emotions of people and that can be dangerous if not controlled. At most, he was proponent of placing checks on poets and artists. But we don’t see any such thing in western culture today. It can be witnessed that there is no limit and checks on art and culture in western society today.
Considering my point how far it is true that Plato has influenced Western society?
Big questions, I'm lazy so I'll give small answers.
He has influenced western thought in ways beyond his opinions on poetry. See his Cave analogy.
He basically believed that people are dumbasses, they pay more mind to passion and belief than to logic. He felt poetry furthered the dumbass-ness because it is based on inspiration rather than knowledge. At the time, I believe, poetry by way of theatrical performances was more of an established field than the study of philosophy. So in essence he was rallying against what is mainstream.
Big questions, I'm lazy so I'll give small answers.
He has influenced western thought in ways beyond his opinions on poetry. See his Cave analogy.
He basically believed that people are dumbasses, they pay more mind to passion and belief than to logic. He felt poetry furthered the dumbass-ness because it is based on inspiration rather than knowledge. At the time, I believe, poetry by way of theatrical performances was more of an established field than the study of philosophy. So in essence he was rallying against what is mainstream.
Your point seems valid, but the message of Plato is clear regarding not only poetry but also art.
Considering your point of Plato's thought about poets and artists, think of what world would be without the art.
Without Art, william shakespeare would be a waste, Hollywood means nothing, no craze and charm of buying new electronic and IT products among people. So world would far more different then what it is today. I would rather say that Art is everywhere today.
However, I kind of agree that western philosophers are reproducing other ideas of him. But I also think that there has always been a communication gap between philosophers and their audience or common people.
well, it might be a belief like randomness (world without purpose) belief. :D
It seems you are disagreeing with Plato but, i thought you would rather approve el topo's 2nd point in post #3 :)
He had some interesting ideas, but to say western thought and philosophy is anything more than slightly influenced by his methods is a far stretch. The Republic is a good read, for sure, but let's not forget....most of what he said is dead wrong.
then you would hardly find anything concrete that suggests west today has got something special out of Plato's ideas.
it might be true that Plato influenced western philosophers only, not western civilization.
It is not his 'ideas' that influence philosophers much, but his 'methods' in philosophical discourse that did specially in logic and rhetoric which were taken up by several 'Islamic' philosophers and scholars too.
The theory of communism of wives by plato is "criticized" by several philosophers. even his student Aristotle criticized it and declared it against the rules of nature. considering the state of family system in West, doesnt it seem that this theory in its essence or in some other form will be prevailing in that society some day?