Philosophy - Who Was Plato?

Who was Plato?

Plato (428–347 B.C.), along with Socrates (469–399 B.C.) and Aristotle (384–322 B.C.), is one of the three ancient Greek thinkers credited with originating Western philosophy. Born in Athens, Plato (whose real name was Aristocles) studied under Socrates. From Socrates, Plato learned the Socratic or dialectic method, which used logic (the use of reason in thought processes) to achieve clear thinking. After Socrates's death, Plato traveled for more than a decade before founding a philosophy school called the Academy, near Athens. Donors supported the school so students were able to attend free of charge. The Academy flourished after Plato's death, until Emperor Justinian I (483–565 B.C.) ordered it closed in A.D. 529 soon after the beginning of the Middle Ages (c. 450–c. 1500).

A main feature of Plato's philosophy is the Theory of Ideas (or Forms), which he developed throughout his life. Plato maintained...

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