Plato (Afiaton)
Plato - Plato (d. 347 B.C.E.), known in Arabic as أفلاطون (Afiaton) and in Turkish as Platon, was a Hellenistic philosopher whose works significantly influenced Islamic philosophy during the Middle Ages. Some of his seminal writings, including Timaeus, Republic, and Laws, were partially translated into Arabic, contributing to the Islamic intellectual tradition.
Etymology
The name “Plato” derives from the Greek name Πλάτων (Platon), which is believed to be associated with platos meaning “broad” in reference to his broad shoulders or wide-ranging thoughts.
Historical Context and Influence
Translations
The works of Plato became accessible to the Islamic world primarily through Arabic translations. The transmission was facilitated notably during the Abbasid caliphate with the establishment of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad under Al-Ma’mun (813–833), which played a crucial role in preserving and translating Greek philosophical texts into Arabic.
Philosophical Integration
Plato’s influence permeated through oral and written traditions. Islamic philosophers used interpretations of Platonic works to explore metaphysics, ethics, and politics. Prominent figures such as Al-Farabi (d. 950), Ibn Sina (Avicenna, d. 1037), and Ibn Rushd (Averroës, d. 1198) integrated Platonic thought within Islamic cosmology and legal theory.
Al-Farabi
Al-Farabi, in his “Philosophy of Plato,” provided detailed accounts of Plato’s dialogues, identifying authentic works and elucidating their key topics. Al-Farabi placed Plato above Aristotle in metaphysical virtues, giving him the title “divine.”
Ibn Sina and Later Scholars
Ibn Sina considered Plato’s Laws critical for understanding the philosophical underpinning of law and revelation. Likewise, scholars like Ibn Bajjah (Avempace, d. 1138) and Ibn Tufayl (d. 1185) juxtaposed Plato’s philosophy against political contexts.
Major Works
- Timaeus: Discusses the nature of the physical world and human beings.
- Republic: Focuses on justice, the just state, and the philosopher-king.
- Laws: Examines the role of laws in ideal governance.
Recommended Reading
To delve deeper into the connections between Plato and Islamic philosophy, consider the following books:
- “Islamic Philosophy, Science, Culture, and Religion: Studies in Honor of Dimitri Gutas”.
- “The Philosophers of the Baghdad School: A Short History” by R. Walzer.
- “Plato among the Greeks and Romans” by F.M. Cornford.
Takeaways
- Plato’s works were transmitted into the Islamic intellectual world chiefly via translations into Arabic.
- His philosophical contributions significantly influenced the discourse on metaphysics, ethics, and politics within Islamic philosophy.
- Scholars like Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Rushd deeply engaged with Platonic thought, integrating it within the broader Islamic tradition.
Conclusion
Plato’s engagement with metaphysics and law resonated within the Islamic world, earning him the title “divine” among several Islamic philosophers. Through translation and interpretation, Plato’s philosophies became an integral part of the Golden Age of Islamic thought, shaping the intellectual landscapes of many scholars across centuries.
