General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato: from The Works of Plato

Thomas Taylor (1758-1835) was an English Platonist and translator of Greek philosophic texts. He was the first to translate into English the complete works of Plato and Aristotle. His voluminous translations, original writings and articles represent the single most complete rendering of the ancient western philosophy and theology into English. A full collection of his works (original scans, paperbacks and ebooks) can be found online at: http: //www.universaltheosophy.com/writings-taylor/ Plato is the most famous of the Greek philosophers. He "was born in the 87th Olympiad, and 430 years before Christ. He also died on his birthday, after having lived exactly 81 years." Plato was a student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle, and the inspirer of countless "lovers of truth" over the centuries. He was classically educated in Athens, but, like Pythagoras before him, extended his education far beyond this. As with that other great sage, "Plato likewise went into Egypt for the purpose of conversing with the priests of that country, and from them learned whatever pertains to sacred rites. ... he went to Phoenicia, and, meeting with the Magi of that country, he was instructed by them in magic." etc. (see biography by Olympiodorus) When he return to Athens he established "the Academy", a school whose renown would echo through the ages. There he gathered students and instructed them in philosophy, virtue and all that pertains to the life of a true philosopher. He wrote many works, almost solely in the form of dialogues, most of which come to us today relatively unspoiled. These were later commented upon by several of the later platonists (neoplatonists). This body of wisdom was then collected, as much as possible, and translated into English by Thomas Taylor, the greatest English Platonist. His translations of Plato can be found here: http: //www.universaltheosophy.com/dialogues-of-plato/