platonisch

Platonisch is a German adjective meaning related to Plato or characteristic of his philosophy. It derives from Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, and is used in academic and cultural contexts to signal influence from his ideas rather than his person.

In philosophy, platonisch denotes ideas or approaches associated with Plato, especially the theory of forms (Ideen). This view holds that non-material, eternal forms underlie the material world and provide the true reality behind appearances. The term is often used to contrast Platonic thought with empiricist or materialist approaches, and it appears in discussions of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics.

In everyday language, the phrase die platonische Liebe describes a close, non-sexual affection or friendship that emphasizes spiritual or intellectual connection over romantic or physical elements. The concept is common in German literature and philosophy discussions about love and intimacy.

In geometry and crystallography, the term die platonischen Körper refers to the five regular convex polyhedra: the tetrahedron, cube (hexaeder), octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron. These solids have congruent faces and vertices and have long been associated with Platonic thought due to their symmetry and perceived perfection.

In broader cultural usage, platonisch can describe idealized, abstract, or purist forms of beauty, virtue, or thought, often implying an aspirational or non-empirical character. Etymologically, platonisch comes from Latin Platonus (via Greek Platonos) and, in modern German, is used as an ordinary adjective, typically lowercase unless at the start of a sentence or in titles.