The Seventh Letter
(By Plato)
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| Author | Plato |
For readers and students of Plato and Greek philosophy, interest in the Seventh Letter lies in the text's account of Plato's involvement with Dionysius II (Dionysius the Younger), tyrant of Syracuse. The philosopher Dion, the tyrant's uncle, convinced his nephew to invite Plato to Syracuse to serve as a tutor to the young Dionysius in philosophy and political ethics (much as Aristotle would later serve as tutor to Alexander the Great). Plato made three journeys to Syracuse, but became victimized by court intrigues, especially involving the exile of Dion. Dionysius was at times so enthusiastic about Plato that he kept the philosopher a virtual prisoner; at other times Plato feared he might be murdered by the tyrant's fractious court. Plato even had difficulties escaping from Syracuse back to Athens.
Plato's involvement with Dionysius II of Syracuse has attracted attention as the philosopher's attempt, apparently his sole attempt, to apply his idealistic political philosophy to real-world politics; and its general failure has struck some critics as a negative commentary on the practical applicability of a Platonic system.
The Seventh Letter also has a detailed exposition of Plato's doctrine of the Forms. Toward the end of the letter is an explanation about the perfect circle as an existing, unchanging, and eternal Form, and how any reproduction of a circle is not the perfect circle. The Form of a perfect circle cannot even be talked about, because language and definitions are not the perfect circle either.”
