Maximus Gage
Plato, one of the most influential philosophers of all time, was also a wrestler with a formidable physique. Nicknamed Platon, meaning broad-shouldered, Plato reportedly competed in the Isthmian Games. His physical prowess may have contributed to his influence as a philosopher, with contemporaries believing his mind to be as impressive as his body. Plato also believed that martial arts were a form of ethical competition, cultivating virtues such as perseverance, courage, and autonomy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wrestling nickname | Platon, meaning "broad-shouldered" |
| Wrestling coach | Ariston of Argos |
| Wrestling career | Competed at the Isthmian Games |
| Martial arts | Believed it to be training in ethical competition |
| Physique | Muscles of a gifted grappler |
| Influence | His physique contributed to his influence as a philosopher |
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What You'll Learn
Plato's wrestling nickname
Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher, considered a foundational thinker in Western philosophy. He was the second of the trio of ancient Greek philosophers, including Socrates and Aristotle, credited with laying the philosophical foundations of Western culture.
Plato was a wrestler, and his wrestling nickname was "Platon", meaning "broad-shouldered" or "broad". This nickname was given to him by his wrestling coach, Ariston of Argos, because of his robust figure. Ariston was also Plato's namesake, as per some sources. Other sources, however, argue that Plato was not a nickname but a perfectly normal name at the time.
Plato was known not only for his pedigree and youthful poetry but also for his physique. He reportedly had the muscles of a gifted grappler and competed at the Isthmian Games, where he performed extremely well and was well known. Plato also recommended wrestling for the youth, celebrating the benefits of stand-up grappling in his dialogue "Laws". He believed that wrestling cultivated character and encouraged psychological excellence, including virtues such as perseverance and courage.
Plato's outlook on wrestling and martial arts extended beyond the physical benefits. He viewed martial arts as a form of ethical competition that could help develop moral character. In his writing, Plato pointed to athletes like Iccus of Tarentum, who prioritised sport over sexual desires, as an example of the passion and self-command that could be cultivated through athletic pursuits.
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Martial arts as ethical competition
Plato, the philosopher with the wrestling nickname "Platon", meaning "broad-shouldered", believed that martial arts were a form of ethical competition. He observed that athletes like Iccus of Tarentum, who prioritized sport over sex, cultivated character through their passion for victory and self-command. Plato argued that this outlook could extend beyond the wrestling school to public life, where victory over one's lust and delusion could lead to a blissful life.
Martial arts, as ethical competition, can be understood through the concept of "wu de" in Mandarin or "mo duk" in Cantonese, which refers to the ethical training that complements the physical aspects of martial arts. This ethical training trains the minds and hearts of practitioners, guiding their everyday actions and judgments. It involves socially conscious behavior, incorporating nonviolence, respect, courtesy, loyalty, and tolerance, as well as the ability to focus on techniques.
Instructors and senior ranks within martial arts organizations play a pivotal role in modeling and teaching these ethical principles. Students look up to their masters and instructors as role models of high consciousness, morality, discipline, and skill. The oral traditions and teachings passed down from instructors are integral to the ethical development of martial artists.
Martial arts schools often have their own rules or a Code of Conduct that provides behavioral guidelines and expectations. These guidelines emphasize avoiding physical confrontation and condoning the use of force only for self-defense or the defense of those who are defenseless. The skills learned in martial arts should be used to defend fellow human beings against unjust violence, even to the point of self-sacrifice. Restraint and minimal use of force to diffuse situations are also important tenets.
Martial arts, therefore, serve as a means to ethical competition, encouraging the development of dangerous and virtuous traits, providing a safe outlet for aggressive urges, and fostering psychological excellence through physical virtues.
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Influence of Plato's physique on his ideas
Plato was a prominent aristocrat, known for his wrestling prowess and physique. He was nicknamed "Platon", meaning "broad-shouldered", and was said to have the muscles of a gifted grappler, competing in the Isthmian Games, an ancient equivalent of the modern-day Olympics.
Plato's physical appearance and his skill in wrestling and martial arts seem to have influenced his philosophical ideas. Plato himself recommended wrestling for the youth, celebrating its benefits for developing "strength and health" and cultivating character. He believed that physical virtues encouraged psychological excellence, including perseverance and courage.
Plato's nickname, "Plato"n, is derived from the word "platos", meaning "broad". It is believed that this nickname was given to him by his wrestling coach, Ariston of Argos, due to his large chest and shoulders. This idea is supported by Seneca, who affirmed that Plato's name referenced his broad chest. The admiration for Plato's physical strength and appearance may have influenced his contemporaries' perception of his intellectual prowess. They might have subconsciously assumed that if his physical form was superior, his mental form—his ideas—must also be superior.
Plato's philosophy often reflected on the relationship between the physical and the intellectual. He believed that martial arts provided training in ethical competition, encouraging self-command and fortitude. He pointed out that athletes could prioritize victory and passion over physical desires, and this mindset could be applied to public life, mastering one's lust and delusions.
Plato's complex view of the physical body extended beyond the realm of athletics. He referred to the body as a "prison", indicating a higher world of forms that represented true realities. This perspective attracted Gnostics, aligning with their belief in escaping the lower world of matter. However, it also created a stereotype of Plato as having a "pie-in-the-sky" philosophy, offering little value for the passing realities of the world.
In conclusion, Plato's physique and his skill in wrestling likely influenced his philosophical ideas and how they were received by his contemporaries. His physical strength and appearance may have commanded respect and admiration, causing people to perceive his ideas as more reasonable and authoritative. Plato's philosophy often explored the interplay between the physical and the intellectual, and he emphasized the potential for humans to master their baser instincts and reflect true virtues, such as justice, truth, and wisdom.
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Martial arts as a moral and political policy
Plato, the philosopher with the wrestling nickname "Platon", meaning "broad-shouldered", recommended wrestling for the youth. He celebrated the benefits of stand-up grappling for the development of "strength and health" for the battlefield. Plato also believed that martial arts were training in ethical competition. He pointed out that athletes who put sport before sex displayed "fortitude and self-command". This outlook, argued Plato, could easily move from wrestling school to public life.
Martial arts schools that encourage better behaviour need not be clumsy or mystical. For example, Judo combines combat efficiency with a modern philosophy that includes traits like morally defensible authority, reflection, and controlled, cooperative violence. This confirms what pugilists and grapplers suspect and what Plato argued: martial arts can help us become more dangerous and more virtuous.
Martial arts training can be seen as a source of developing integrity and autonomy. Autonomy is a matter of self-determination that relies on the capacity to form and act on judgments without undue pressure, coercion, or force. Resisting counter-pressure against one's capacity for self-determination is to be true to oneself. Similarly, integrity requires resistance to counter-pressures and is best revealed in situations testing one's commitments.
Martial arts have also been used to counter violence against women, which undermines their autonomy and integrity. Suffragettes such as Mrs Garrud fought for women to be legally recognised as persons, and her ju-jitsu training contributed to her ability to stand for what mattered politically.
Finally, martial arts can influence one's political beliefs. For example, someone who learns martial arts may fear that they will use force to solve problems better handled through other methods. Warrior-philosophers often speak to the struggle for balance and inner peace. Sun Tzu notes that "the supreme art of war is to subdue your enemy without fighting".
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Plato's wrestling career and its impact on his philosophy
Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, is credited alongside Socrates and Aristotle as laying the philosophical foundations of Western culture. However, before he became a philosopher, Plato was a wrestler. He received the nickname "Platon", meaning "broad-shouldered", from his wrestling coach Ariston of Argos, due to his robust figure.
Plato reportedly competed at the Isthmian Games, and some sources suggest he also entered a public contest at the Pythian Games. Plato's wrestling career influenced his philosophical outlook in several ways. Firstly, he believed that martial arts and wrestling could be a form of ethical competition, cultivating character and virtues such as perseverance and courage. In his dialogue "Laws", he celebrated the benefits of stand-up grappling, arguing that it had military applications and promoted "strength and health".
Plato also believed that wrestling and philosophy shared similarities in terms of seeking victory over an opponent. In both pursuits, an opponent's cooperation and resistance are vital to one's growth. By engaging in philosophical debates, Plato could pin down his interlocutors, forcing them to improve their arguments and think more deeply about the issues at hand.
Plato's academy, a garden and gymnasium on the outskirts of Athens, was known as a hub for both wrestling and intellectual discussion. This combination of physical and intellectual pursuits reflects Plato's belief in the importance of integrating martial arts and philosophy, challenging the stereotype of the philosopher as separate from the athlete.
In conclusion, Plato's wrestling career had a significant impact on his philosophical outlook. It shaped his understanding of ethical competition, character development, and the interplay between physical and intellectual pursuits, contributing to his lasting influence on Western philosophy.
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Frequently asked questions
Plato was known for his muscles. He was a prominent aristocrat, known for his wrestling nickname, Platon, meaning "broad-shouldered".
There is a belief that Plato's physique contributed to his influence as a philosopher. His contemporaries might have associated his physical form with his mental form, making his ideas seem more reasonable.
Supporters of Diogenes believed that Plato used his physique to compensate for his lack of compelling arguments through physical intimidation.
Plato believed that martial arts were a form of ethical competition. He incorporated the lessons of resilience, hard work, and flexibility from wrestling into his philosophical discussions, which likely made his ideas more impactful.
