The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Most of European philosophy builds upon or responds to Plato's ideas.
- In plain terms
- Later philosophers mostly added notes to what Plato wrote.
- What can you take from it?
- Plato's influence dominates Western thought.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who shapes your thinking most?
- What counts as a footnote?
Another view
Some philosophical movements reject or ignore Plato entirely.
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