Plato's ideas have heavily influenced Western thought, Christian philosophy, and modern views on morality, justice, and the human soul’s connection to a higher, perfect realm.

Before Christianity emerged, various philosophies and religions thrived. Epicurus wrote over 300 books, many distributed as pamphlets, which ordinary people widely embraced for 700 years. However, early Roman Church leaders favored Plato and Aristotle, integrating them to reinforce the Church’s foundations.

According to Plato, everything in the physical world is an imperfect copy of its perfect version that exists in some eternal, non-material place. These perfect "Forms" represent ultimate reality, while the physical world was seen as temporary and flawed. The early Church embraced the idea that one's soul also belonged to this higher, spiritual realm and could one day reunite with God in heaven. 

Unlike Plato's fluffy metaphysical "Forms" and vision of a structured, state-controlled society, Epicurus did not believe the world was created by some God, or that anything like gods made themselves available for helping with our troubles or granting wishes. He rejected the notion of an eternal, spiritual soul, as a materialist he believed it is enmeshed within our body, experiencing life through our five senses, inner dialogue and memories that create our personality, and at death, this soul breaks down with our bodies.

We neither go floating off to some Platonic perfect Form of a Heaven, to a perfect Form of a God, nor by refusing to believe these things through blind faith, do we suffer in some fiery punishing hell for eternity. Epicurus rejected the soul experiencing life after death, instead teaching people to overcome excessive worry and irrational fears about death and to focus on happier lives while they lived. Because of this, Epicurus became vilified, his works destroyed, and his teachings seen as a threat and enemy to the ever-growing control of the Roman church. 

Plato's beliefs aligned with the Church's theology of divine perfection, the immortality of the soul, and the authority of the Church's appointed leaders. When the Roman Church gained dominance, it embraced his ideas, merging them with Christian doctrine to solidify its authority, and turned previously debatable concepts into unquestionable dogma, the only Truth. Those who continued debating or trying to teach other views were branded as heretics and removed. By blending this familiar Greek philosophy with Christian doctrine, the early Church leaders eased the transition of the people from centuries-old traditional beliefs to this new religion promises of an escape from this "evil" sin-filled world and having an eternal life with loved ones in a perfect Heaven - an influence that still shapes much of the reasoning in Western thought today. 

In his book "The Republic", Plato envisioned a strict society where a privileged, educated class governed over the "common folk".  He criticized democracy, believing it led to disorder with the uniformed masses being in charge. To control the population, he believed in weakening the loyalty of marriage and family so the State could raise and indoctrinate the children. All adults would have structured roles and be available to work and contribute while the government provided food, shelter, and care. The emphasis was on the good of society, not the individual. The buyer's market would be restricted, regulated and rationed by the State. Property would never actually be owned but rented to those in favor or deemed "worthy". 

If those ideas sound familiar, they should. If Plato wrote "The Republic" in 375 BCE, his ideas about centralized power are 2400 years old. They have been tried again and again historically, in several countries and always fail.  His ideas of centralized power inspired Marx, Stalin, Ho Chi Minh, Mao and Pol Pot. Plato and Aristotle inspired the modern Socialism that has crept into American culture through state-run schools and programs, media propaganda, politicians, and over-regulations and federal government programs.

When governments position themselves as necessary guardians of the people, they foster dependency instead of independence—leading to a population that is more easily controlled, subservient, and disengaged from free thought. Anyone remembering the COVID-19 years will remember when authoritarian-style government overreach cost people their jobs, education and lives, and biased media outlets suppressed dissent and alternative voices of reason.

Rational Hedonism, having its roots in Epicurus' philosophy, stands apart from the doctrines of Aristotle and Plato, which were embraced by governments and religious institutions to cement authority. Epicurus rejected superstitious, fear-based beliefs—such as divine punishment or the afterlife—and instead championed a reasoned, practical approach to happiness rooted in self-sufficiency, clear values, and rational decision-making. His teachings emphasized personal freedom, gratitude, and meaningful relationships while avoiding unnecessary pain—mental or physical. Unlike structured systems of control, Epicurus believed people thrived through open discussion, free choice, and the ability to pursue their talents without imposed limitations.

Just because a system is long established doesn’t mean it evolved to serve the people—it exists to maintain control for those in power. Since ancient Greece, philosophies that empower individuals and promote true happiness have been suppressed by those seeking dominance.

The choice remains: Will you think for yourself, recognize the narratives designed to divide, and pursue your own potential? Or simply conform, playing a role in someone else's vision rather than your own?