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Plato

In: Philosophy and Psychology

Submitted By joycognata
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Plato Paper: Prompt #2
11/3/14
Why does Plato write dialogues? How does that genre fit with and promote his philosophy?
Use Examined life to help promote this concept that Plato embodies.

!
From what method of teaching can a learner take away a meaningful interpretation of the lesson taught? Upon determining the answer to this question, one might discern between more and less helpful ways to learn. The old Native American saying goes, “Tell me and I'll forget.
Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand”(Inspirational Quotes). This exact idea is embodied by Plato and also by some of the philosophers in The Examined Life.
Plato provides examples of stories to help one wrap their brain around a concept due to their own involvement in the learning. The brilliant Plato methodically sends an equally striking and concise impression-making message to both his readers and interlocutors.
Unlike Aristotle, who lays down the law of philosophy in absolute non-negotiable terms,
Plato paints a sufficiently big picture for the reader in terms of philosophical conclusion through narrative dialogues and allegories in his writings. Plato does this by granting the interlocutor a paintbrush in drawing the “big picture” so that the appropriate details can be sketched in as needed and refutations are made possible in order to distinguish between what is and what is not relevant. This process gives the readers, as well as the interlocutors, a feeling of overall inclusiveness in arriving at a philosophical conclusion. While Aristotle is brilliant on many levels, Plato provides a clearer and more impression-making lesson upon his readers; through his

step by step fundamental teaching process, Plato is better at working with the learner to teach them something they can take away from him. Additionally, Plato effectively uses dialogues with

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