In search of Atlantis

Abstract

The story of Atlantis evokes controversy that relates not to its moral message but rather to whether the story is based on fact or fiction, and for those who believe the story to be factual controversy rages on the locality of this lost civilisation. The story was transcribed by the Greek philosopher Plato about 2400 years ago in his discourses Critias and Timaeus. Plato was one of Socrates’ most devoted followers and in his dialogues and in his Second Letter says that "no writing of Plato exists or ever will exist, but those now said to be his are those of a Socrates become beautiful and new". The Atlantis story is presented as being related by Critias. The story has a moral basis to emphasize that god will destroy mankind whenever man abandons religion irrespective of how powerful that community may be. It may therefore be considered to be a “parable” which is defined as a brief, succinct story that illustrates a moral lesson.