About
Plato (c. 428/427–348/347 BCE) was an Athenian philosopher, student of Socrates, and founder of the Academy, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. His writings, mostly dialogues, explore justice, politics, love, knowledge, and the immortality of the soul. His theory of Forms, holding that the material world is an imperfect copy of an intelligible realm, profoundly influenced Western thought. He also made unsuccessful attempts to educate the tyrant Dionysius II of Syracuse in philosophy.
Major works
- Republic (c. 375 BCE)philosophical dialogue
- Symposium (c. 385–370 BCE)philosophical dialogue
- Phaedo (c. 360 BCE)philosophical dialogue
- Apology (c. 399–390 BCE)philosophical dialogue
- Timaeus (c. 360 BCE)philosophical dialogue
Key milestones
- c. 387 BCEFounded the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world.
- 399 BCEWitnesses the trial and execution of Socrates, an event that profoundly influenced his thought.
- c. 348/347 BCEDies in Athens and is buried in the grounds of the Academy.
Themes
Theory of FormsJustice and the ideal stateLove and beautyImmortality of the soulKnowledge and dialectic
Sources: britannica.com · rep.routledge.com · oxfordbibliographies.com