I wonder if anyone here has ever considered Plato as being a prominent author on the subject of reincarnation? All of Plato's written work is freely available on the internet, and in many languages, besides ancient Greek. Generally, academia looks upon Plato as a mere philosopher, whose writings mainly deal with philosophical and political ideas, as they relate to human nature. But it's amazing that, with little exception, academia has never taken Plato seriously when it comes to reincarnation. Some have recognized the metaphysical aspects within Plato's writings, but even those, generally, do not take Plato seriously on this subject.
It's nearly impossible to find anyone in academia these days, the students and experts on Plato, that will believe in the soul, and its immortality.
Yes, I said, my dear Glaucon, for great is the issue at stake, greater than appears, whether a man is to be good or bad. And what will any one be profited if under the influence of honour or money or power, aye, or under the excitement of poetry, he neglect justice and virtue?
Yes, he said; I have been convinced by the argument, as I believe that any one else would have been.
And yet no mention has been made of the greatest prizes and rewards which await virtue.
What, are there any greater still? If there are, they must be of an inconceivable greatness.
Why, I said, what was ever great in a short time? The whole period of threescore years and ten is surely but a little thing in comparison with eternity?
Say rather ‘nothing,’ he replied.
And should an immortal being seriously think of this little space rather than of the whole?
Of the whole, certainly. But why do you ask?
Are you not aware, I said, that the soul of man is immortal and imperishable?
He looked at me in astonishment, and said: No, by heaven: And are you really prepared to maintain this?
Yes, I said, I ought to be, and you too–there is no difficulty in proving it.
I see a great difficulty; but I should like to hear you state this argument of which you make so light.
Listen then. Plato's Republic
I'm going to state something here that perhaps has never been uttered, and it may seem as I'm throwing myself into an abyss without a bottom. In fact, even those who are considered as being in the far fringe will consider my idea as being the far fringe to them. And this is where my idea will seem to be coming from to others, as far as Plato and reincarnation is concerned. Because, in a nutshell, Plato is the ultimate source that will provide the "undisputed" truth of reincarnation. To prove that not only there is such a thing as as soul, but that the soul is immortal and imperishable. Man's essence is soul ,and not body.
"I must try, like the shipwright, who lays down the keel of a vessel, to build a secure foundation for the vessel of the soul in her voyage through life. Human affairs are hardly serious, and yet a sad necessity compels us to be serious about them. Let us, therefore, do our best to bring the matter to a conclusion. ’Very good.’ I say then, that God is the object of a man’s most serious endeavours. But man is created to be the plaything of the Gods; and therefore the aim of every one should be to pass through life, not in grim earnest, but playing at the noblest of pastimes, in another spirit from that which now prevails. For the common opinion is, that work is for the sake of play, war of peace; whereas in war there is neither amusement nor instruction worth speaking of. The life of peace is that which men should chiefly desire to lengthen out and improve. They should live sacrificing, singing, and dancing, with the view of propitiating Gods and heroes. I have already told you the types of song and dance which they should follow: and ’Some things,’ as the poet well says, ’you will devise for yourself–others, God will suggest to you.’ These words of his may be applied to our pupils. They will partly teach themselves, and partly will be taught by God, the art of propitiating Him; for they are His puppets, and have only a small portion in truth. ’You have a poor opinion of man.’ No wonder, when I compare him with God; but, if you are offended, I will place him a little higher......." Plato's Laws!
But it's an interesting collection of stories from the UK.
