GREEKS of ANTIQUITY
I had my first taste of philosophy at Armidale Teachers College in 1961. This was one of the options that I chose to study, apart from the more mundane teaching subjects that were mandatory. Miss Margaret Mackie enchanted us with stories of the Delphic oracle, as well as introducing me to a long-term love affair with Plato, and Platonic ideals. I did not realise it at the time, but this gifted teacher was opening up the foundations of Western philosophy and science to me and to others in the class.
Plato
Plato (428-348BC) has been cited as one of the founders of Western religion and spirituality.
Plato’s teacher was Socrates, and much of Plato’s works are based on Socrates’ ideas. We studied Plato’s Republic, an amazing work about the just society. Our teacher focused on the allegory of the Cave, which has fascinated students of philosophy and mysticism ever since.