How often, falling under the influence of someone else views and opinions, we bow before another authority.Sometimes it happens, contrary to common sense.For example, parents always think they know what is best for their child.With his friends who, what hobbies to choose which profession to realize themselves.And even the personal lives of their offspring should be built on the orders of adults.But is it really always right, those who gave us life?And can it be considered old age and other people's experiences the ultimate truth?
sayings
In such cases, the most suitable expression, long ago became winged.It sounds like this: "Plato is my friend, but truth is more expensive."Like most aphorisms, this one also has a source.At the end of XVI - early XVII century there lived a famous writer was - Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.Everyone knows it funny and perfect hero - Don Quixote de la Mancha.In the second part of the novel, in Chapter 51, we encounter the familiar: "Plato is my friend, but truth is more expensive."So that's where our language came to this phrase!"Amicus Plato, sed ma-GIS Amica veritas" - a Russian aphorism transcription in Latin.Why do we remember about it?Just Cervantes acquainted with the phrase the broad masses of readers.But he only repeated in Spanish that well before he said the ancient.
Patrimony ...
And now mentally fast forward to a time machine in the days of more later.IV century BC, Ancient Greece, the great Plato, his school of thought and labor, which to this day have not lost relevance and interest.In one of them - composing "Phaedo" - Plato quotes Socrates, whom he was a disciple of himself, where his brilliant predecessor advises less look on him, defending his point of view.Truth is more authority, Socrates argued.And the author of "Phaedo" completely agree.Hence: "Plato is my friend, but truth is more expensive."Note that the philosopher gives students precise setting: must go to the end, if you believe in their own right, and does not think about whether it coincides with the opinion of their teachers.
From Plato to Aristotle
ancient Greek philosophical thought has given the world a lot of geniuses.It is impossible not to recall the more remarkable one of its representatives - Aristotle.This, too, IV century BC, just a few more later period.He penned a deep and serious work "Nicomachean Ethics".In it, Aristotle, still thought their teachers (Socrates and Plato all the same), he wrote that, no matter how expensive his friends, if you choose between them and the truth, preference should be given all the truth.That's the long history of this statement!But it is not yet final, as many ancient writers believed that the source of all "cheese-boron" - Socrates, that his name is mentioned in the aphorism.But, as we have established, would be correct to say: "Plato is my friend, but truth is more expensive!»
Further era
So, we have a classic example of the logical and the cultural paradox.Author let out an axiom contrary to his own.On its basis it was subsequently composed many such allegations "total."For example, Martin Luther, basing his religious and philosophical tenets, says almost the same universal formula very close to the traditional: "Plato is my friend, but truth is more expensive," just to mention more and eating strong-willed Socrates and imperative "should be preferred."The value of it, of course, understandable in any dispute as an arbitrator must act correctly, common sense, objectivity.Or the truth.That she should act the absolute value and have privileges to all subjective opinions.
dwell on examples
In some cases, such an expression is appropriate?Almost all, when it comes to serious policy decisions on which, for example, may depend on the fate of an important scientific discovery, solving legal issues, and so on. D. Or even a personal relationship.In the novel Dudintsev "white robes" discussed issues related to the new branch of biology - genetics.You may ask, what does all this have all the same aphorism: "Plato is my friend, but truth is more expensive?"The meaning of it is directly related to the conflict, disclosed in the product: some scientists go on about the official authorities to agree in everything with the "People's Academician» Townhouse (prototype Lysenko).It is for the sake of personal gain and power, "overwrites" not only his talented colleagues, but candidly, and falsifies pouring lie progressive scientific ideas.
Others are not afraid to deal with these reactionaries and time-servers and defend the truth in spite of the risks they face.It Dёzhkin, Tsvyah, Strigalёv, Heifetz.The latter, for example, is so shocked by the atmosphere of latent meanness and denunciations in the team that, although some scientists working there have a lot of his friends, ready to leave the institute, where he worked for many years."Plato is my friend, but truth is more expensive" - the value of this claim, he argues own actions.And not only he!I dёzhkin once revered Ryadno a true professional, a man of great intelligence and talent, a biologist with a capital letter.Learning that Academician dropped to assign themselves another's discoveries and their authors persecutes and repression are also outraged and stands for the truth.
«Plato is my friend, but truth is more expensive" - what does this statement to him?Much: Dёzhkin bring the matter before the end defeated the underground laboratory.Risking their lives, passing valuable information Western colleagues, who came specially for the sake of the Union.And then, for many years, until the death of Stalin and the rehabilitation of his colleagues, some of whom are dead or in prison camps, living almost in secret.That's what hardships and sacrifices people are willing to go for the basic truth!
good example gives us the literature!
