Plato, an influential ancient Greek philosopher, had profound insights on the quest for meaning
in life. He believed that the search for true meaning and purpose was central to
human existence. Plato's philosophy emphasized that genuine meaning could be found by aligning
one's thoughts, actions, and life with higher principles and ideals. He believed
that life's purpose wasn't merely about seeking pleasure or material gain but involved a deeper
exploration of truth, virtue, and wisdom. In his writings, often presented as dialogues
between characters, Plato encouraged critical thinking and philosophical inquiry as essential
tools for discovering one's true purpose. He argued that through rational reflection and
open-minded dialogue, individuals could uncover the authentic meaning of their lives and pursue
a path of moral and intellectual growth. Ultimately, Plato's views on finding
meaning in life revolve around the idea that it's an ongoing journey of self-discovery,
guided by reason, virtue, and the pursuit of higher truths. Plato’s philosophy is referred
to as Platonic Idealism. Along with Socrates, his mentor, and Aristotle his student, Plato is one of
the most influential individuals in the entire history of humankind, he invented the written
dialogue and the dialectic form of philosophy. Some of his most famous books are “The Republic”,
“The Symposium”, “The Apology of Socrates”, “Allegory of the Cave” and “The Dialogues of
Plato” in which the main character is Socrates, who influenced Plato’s philosophy to a huge
extent. Even after 2400 years, Plato’s work is still popular and relevant today,
which is why in this video we talk about how to find meaning in life from the philosophy of Plato.
1. Move Away from distorted beliefs In one of the Platonic dialogues, Socrates
said “Unexamined life is not worth living” For Plato, finding the meaning of life starts
with focusing on your own existence rather than blindly accepting opinions and beliefs.
He believes that we often adopt ideas without truly understanding them or connecting them to
a universal purpose. Socrates, Plato's prominent figure, employs a unique conversational method
rooted in doubt and scrutiny. He questions every statement and definition that governs our lives,
asking fundamental inquiries like "Why do you believe that?" or "Can we consider
alternative viewpoints?" This approach can be applied both in conversations with
others and when pondering personal decisions. For instance, you can practice this by asking
these questions when facing life's challenges. Let's say you're at a crossroads in your career.
You've been working in a job for several years, but you're feeling unfulfilled and uninspired.
You're contemplating whether to stay in your current job or explore new career opportunities.
Using Plato's approach, you might start by asking yourself some fundamental questions:
Why am I in this job in the first place? This question prompts you to reflect on your initial
motivations and whether they still align with your current situation.
What do I truly enjoy and value in my work? Here, you delve into the aspects of your job that
bring you satisfaction and fulfillment. Am I following this career path because
of societal expectations or personal passion?This question encourages you to
examine whether external pressures or your own genuine interests are driving your choices.
Could there be alternative career paths that better align with my values and aspirations?You
could explore whether there are different career options that might offer a more
meaningful and satisfying experience. And finally how can I verify or disprove
my assumptions about my career choices? This prompts you to seek
evidence or gather information that supports or challenges your beliefs about your career.
As you ponder these questions, you may realize that your current job no longer
aligns with your values and aspirations. This might lead you to consider a career change,
perhaps pursuing a path that resonates more with your true passions and desires. Plato's
philosophy encourages you to undergo a process of self-examination and,
if necessary, a significant life direction shift to pursue a more meaningful and purposeful path.
Imagine that your beliefs and choices in life are like shadows on a wall. These shadows aren’t the
real thing, just distorted representations. Plato suggests that to truly understand the meaning of
life, you need to move away from these distorted beliefs and find a more solid foundation,
akin to stepping out of the shadows and into the light. This process of moving from ignorance to
understanding is what Plato calls "conversion." It's like waking up to a new awareness.
To do this, you need to look inward and discover your genuine desires and needs that bring true
value to your life. Plato always says that this process of conversion might mean making big
changes in your life, like giving up things that don't really matter to you and focusing on what's
most important. It's about always searching for a deeper meaning in everything you do.
2. Follow your love In the words of Plato
“Love is simply the name for the desire and pursuit of the whole”.
In Plato's "Symposium," love is explained as a deep desire for a meaningful life and
understanding the ultimate purpose of everything. It's like a journey that changes us profoundly
and can seem a bit crazy because it disrupts our usual habits and thoughts. For example,
let’s say you live a typically conventional and routine life. You go to work, socialize with
friends, and generally follow the expectations of society. Life is comfortable, but there's a sense
of emptiness and a lack of deeper meaning. One day, you meet someone. This encounter sparks a
romantic attraction, and you fall deeply in love. However, in the context of Plato's philosophy as
presented in the "Symposium," this love is not just about the emotions and the attraction to
the physical appearance. It goes beyond that; it becomes a transformative force in your life.
Your love for that person awakens a profound desire for meaning. It's no longer just about the
romantic relationship; it's about understanding why love itself is so important and what it
means for one’s existence. This love begins to change you. You start to become more considerate,
compassionate, and selfless. You are inspired to improve yourself, not just for your partner but
to become a better person in general. Love disrupts your usual habits. You might find
yourself questioning the materialistic pursuits that used to define your life, such as a focus on
career success or material possessions. This can be unsettling as it challenges the familiar path.
As you delve deeper into your love for your partner, you begin to contemplate the nature
of love itself. You explore philosophical questions about the purpose of love,
the role it plays in human existence, and how it connects to larger concepts like beauty and
truth.Through this journey, you gradually realize that love, as Plato describes it, is a means to
access a higher understanding of life's purpose. It's not just about loving one person; it's about
tapping into a universal force that drives us towards greater wisdom and enlightenment.
Love is often seen as an emotion or something related to our relationships with people,
which is true, but Plato believed it goes much deeper. Love is the desire to fill a missing part
of ourselves. Plato talked about an ancient idea that humans were once one being, and love is the
longing to reunite with that lost unity. This idea of love leads us through different stages, like
climbing a ladder, with each rung representing a step towards finding the highest meaning:
Step 1 Physical Attraction: At first, we're attracted to someone's physical appearance—like
their eyes or their smile. But this level has problems because physical beauty changes,
and there's nothing entirely unique about it. Step 2 Beauty of Personality: This next step is
to appreciate someone's inner beauty—the beauty of their personality and soul.
Step 3 Beauty of Knowledge: As we go further, we realize that individual personalities are not
enough. We start seeking the beauty in knowledge and the universal truths that explain the world.
And finally,Step 4 Ultimate Beauty: The final step is to love the highest Beauty itself,
which is the ultimate source of meaning and harmony in the universe.
This "Ladder of Love" shows that love is the driving force behind everything we do, think,
and desire. It encourages us to seek meaning at every stage of our journey. In our modern lives,
where many people feel anxious and lost, understanding love in this way can help.
This definition of love is not only limited to our romantic pursuits but with everything we do.
Anxiety and loss of meaning are widely known for modern day people. We believe
that a Platonic understanding of love can help us in that kind of situation. For example,
when you lose your job or something that appears to be the source of meaning,
your first step cant be hopeless disappointment, but rather you should attempt to rebuild the
Ladder of your love. Find something that catches your attention and just follow it. For example,
let’s say you are passionate about collecting rare stamps. Concentrate your attention on it and find
out the final desire that lies behind this hobby. It can be a hidden love of History, Geography,
Politics and so on. The only thing you need to change and rule your destiny is attention to your
love in small things. When you face challenges or lose something that seems meaningful, you can
rebuild your sense of purpose by paying attention to what you love, no matter how small it may seem.
It's a path that can lead you to discover the deeper meaning in everything around you.
3. Build the “republic” of your soul Plato ponders “Isn't it quite necessary for us
to agree that the very same forms and dispositions as are in the city are in each of us?”
Being an ancient philosopher, Plato had an idea about how a perfect society should be
organized. He believed that this ideal society should have three main groups of people:
philosophers aka the teachers, guardians aka the protectors, and laborers aka the workers.
Philosophers are the wise and knowledgeable individuals who should lead society. They are
freed from the responsibilities of protecting the state and producing goods because they are
focused on understanding deep ideas and truths. The Guardians’ primary job is to protect society.
They don't need to worry about making things or money; their duty is to keep everyone safe.
Laborers are responsible for producing goods and resources. Unlike the philosophers and guardians,
they don't make decisions about the direction of society; they focus on providing for everyone's
needs. Of course in reality this is simply allegorical, as humans are too nuanced and
individual to be placed perfectly into one of these three societal groups, nor does anyone
have a right to categorise another human being in this way. Indeed, Plato also believed that these
three groups corresponded to different aspects of a person's soul. Philosophers represent wisdom in
a person, Guardians represent their bravery, and Laborers, their self-restraint. So, just as these
qualities come together to form Plato’s version of an ideal society, they also form an ideal
person. This idea may seem philosophical, but it has practical implications for our real lives.
Plato suggested that these virtues can be seen as stages of personal growth
Self-Restraint and Satisfaction: At first, we focus on meeting our
basic needs and striving for wellbeing. Limiting Material Pursuits: We eventually
realize that chasing after material wealth endlessly can be harmful, and we start seeking
fulfillment beyond material possessions. Taking Care of Others: As we mature,
we begin to care for others, like pets, children, or aging parents. This stage teaches us love
and care but often remains task-oriented rather than understanding a higher purpose.
Real Wisdom and Love: The final stage involves achieving true wisdom and love, where we see the
world not as a place to possess things but as a space filled with subjects to love and cherish.
Plato believed that this process of personal development is innate in our nature and aligns
with our experiences. It's about learning to see the world in a deeper and more meaningful way.
In practical terms, this means that our main goal in life is to allow our inner potential to unfold
and develop fully, just as an ideal society should operate at its best. This development
involves moving from pursuing material wealth to caring for others and ultimately reaching a
state of wisdom and love where we see the world in a profoundly different and more loving way.
4. Establish the power of your intellect According to Plato “In truth, this Cosmos
in its origin was generated as a compound, from the combination of Necessity and Reason.”
Our lives are filled with things that happen naturally, and many times, these things are beyond
our control or even understanding. Sometimes, these uncontrollable events can cause physical
suffering, like illnesses, or emotional suffering when something hurts our inner peace. Now,
even if we can organize our thoughts and find a logical meaning in our lives, what do we do
with these irrational, uncontrollable things that can unexpectedly disrupt our plans? How do
we handle having a strong desire for something meaningful, when an unexpected disaster comes
along? Plato wrote something interesting in a complex dialogue called "Timaeus," which
talks about how the universe was created. While some of the ideas about gods in this
text might seem a bit old-fashioned, there's an interesting part where it says that the universe
was created by a combination of "Necessity" and "Reason." Reason persuaded Necessity to
create the universe in the best way possible. We can apply this idea to our own lives. Just
like in the cosmos, our lives are also a mix of Necessity, the things we can't control and Reason,
which is our ability to think and make decisions. But how does this apply to our personal lives?
How can we use this concept? Imagine you're in a job that you don't enjoy, but you feel trapped
because it pays the bills, and you have family responsibilities. This situation represents the
"Necessity" part of your life – the things you can't control, like financial obligations and
family needs. Applying reason in this context, means considering your career choices and
personal happiness against your obligations and responsibilities. To begin this journey,
start by identifying the aspects of your career and life that you can control. These might
include your skills, education, networking, and the effort you put into exploring new
opportunities. Then define clear and achievable career goals that align with your interests
and values. For example, if you've always been passionate about a different field, set a goal
to acquire the necessary skills or education. But critically, understand that change takes time.
Transitioning to a more fulfilling career requires patience and strategic planning. Acknowledge that
meaningful change cannot be instantaneous. If possible, plan a gradual transition to minimize
the impact on your financial stability. Perhaps you can dedicate evenings or weekends to acquiring
new skills. And Be prepared for setbacks along the way. Rejections and challenges are part of life's
"Necessity" aspect, but your "Reason" will be your guiding force, motivating you to persevere.
Importantly: Do not go through this transformation alone. Seek support from people who’ve trodden a
similar path or turned to mentors for guidance. Their experiences can offer both practical advice
and emotional encouragement. Throughout this process, keep your long-term purpose and meaning
in life at the forefront. This could be your passion for a specific career or your desire
for a more fulfilling job. Allow this ultimate purpose to steer your decisions and actions. By
applying these steps, you are using your Reason to navigate the mix of Necessity and Reason in
your career choices. Over time, you can transition towards a more meaningful and satisfying career,
balancing the uncontrollable elements with your rational decision-making.
This approach helps you make the best of what life presents, even when faced with challenges.
5. Cultivate your contemplation skills In our final quote from Plato for this video,
he says “We must be free from the body and must behold the actual
realities with the eye of the soul alone”. In conclusion, we can sum-up everything we've
learned so far into one universal rule - cultivate your contemplation skills.
We should work on improving our ability to think deeply and reflect on things,
which is called "contemplation." By doing this, we can gain a special way of looking at the world,
where we see how our inner thoughts and the world around us are connected and make sense together.
This skill of contemplation is a stage of personal growth and searching for the meaning of life.
When we get really good at it, the meaning of life becomes very clear to us, and it feels like a part
of our everyday reality, because you’re getting better at seeing and understanding the world.
When we reach this level of clear understanding, we aren't bothered by the constant changes and
challenges of the world. Instead, we feel like we are living a meaningful life. Everything we do
is connected to our journey towards discovering the ultimate truth about life and the universe.
Plato believed that to truly understand things we need to free our minds from the
distractions and desires of our physical bodies. He thought that our bodies and their desires are
often the cause of conflicts and wars because we fight over things like money and resources,
which are connected to our physical needs. Plato believed that to see the truth,
we need to focus on the thoughts and ideas of our minds, like the "eye of the soul.” Plato's
approach to freeing our minds from physical distractions involves several key steps.
Start with self-reflection to identify your desires and conflicts. Think about your own
desires, attachments, and distractions. What are the things in your life that you
constantly crave or that cause conflicts? It could be material possessions, status,
or other external factors. Recognizing these desires is the first step.
Then practice mindfulness. Mindfulness meditation can help you become more aware
of your thoughts and emotions. By observing your thoughts without judgment, you can gain
insight into the desires and distractions that affect your daily life. Mindfulness can help
you detach from these immediate desires and become more in tune with your inner self.
Engage in critical thinking and philosophical inquiry, question your beliefs and assumptions
about what brings happiness and fulfillment. Refine your understanding and distance yourself
from shallow desires. Reduce materialism by finding a balance between material possessions
and intellectual growth. Prioritize education in philosophy and ethics. Seek virtues like wisdom
and courage to guide your actions, and engage in meaningful discussions with others to refine your
understanding and overcome everyday distractions. Plato also mentioned that music can help us
with this contemplation and understanding. He thought that music, with its harmony and rhythm,
can create a sense of love and unity among people. So, listening to music attentively
can be more than just enjoyable; it can also be a profound way to connect with our inner selves
and find beauty and meaning in the world around us. In summary, Plato encourages
us to develop our ability to think deeply and contemplate life. And contemplation can lead
us to a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it and find beauty and meaning in life.
If you enjoyed this video, please make sure to check out our full philosophies for life
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