The State

Plato is an ancient Greek philosopher who still remains one of the pillars of world philosophy. He lived in Athens and studied under the "wisest of the Hellenes" – Socrates. He traveled extensively. In his philosophical works, he developed the theory of ideas, the dialectical method, political and legal doctrine, and the doctrine of knowledge. Plato adhered to the idealist solution to the fundamental question of philosophy: consciousness determines being. In the dialogue "The State," the philosopher applies this concept to the organization of society. He states that the state is an expression of the idea of justice. He describes its essence, the features of aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy, tyranny, and the necessity of the division of labor. The dialogue consists of 10 books, each dedicated to a separate topic. This work changed the direction of philosophical thought and became the foundation of Western political philosophy.