Next we will look at influences of Plato, but first I will …

Next we will look at influences of Plato, but first I will summarize my interpretation of him in a few key points. The first is elitism. Ordinary people are malicious and stupid who will act out against philosophy; these people however, are under the control of ideas and they can be controlled by philosophers with their superior command of ideas. The philosophers will manipulate ordinary people for their own best interest, who will not notice that their traditions have been replaced by ideas designed by philosophers to protect and enable their covert control. The second is a political orientation. For Plato, the purpose of philosophy is to promote the interests of philosophers in society. Plato's ideas on metaphysics and natural philosophy are better understood as propaganda that supports his political goals rather than reflecting a genuine interest in the fundamental nature of the universe. Finally, for Plato, abstract thought is a kind of addiction that is held up as superior to engagement with reality. Plato offers his addiction to others in order to lure them in as his allies. More generally, Plato sees the world as hostile and points to fantasy as an escape from hostility. This fantasy is promoted as somehow more real than the real world. Plato's thought overall is highly consistent with narcissistic personality disorder. Plato is unusual as a narcissist in his degree of self-awareness he has of his own motivations, as well as the frankness with which he describes them. This is what makes him unusual as a philosopher. I find few true Platonists following him but many idea addicts who show his influence.