Plato

Plato was a Greek philosopher who was one of the greatest thinkers in western philosophy. He lived from about 428 to 347 B.C. He was an aristocrat born in Athens.

Plato's father was Ariston who was believed to be the descendant of one of the early kings of Athens and his mother was Perictione who claimed to be a relative of Solon, one of the early lawmakers. He came from a wealthy, aristocratic, and influential family. When Plato was young, his father died and his mother was remarried to Pyrilampes, an associate of Pericles.

Plato entire childhood took place during the Peloponnesian War which he may have been a Calvary man for some time during it. Plato had about 30 written works all in the rare form of Prose dialog. He traveled to Italy where he met followers of Pythagoras, which seem to have affected his views on death. He also traveled to Sicily where he impacted one of the kinsman of Dionysus, the emperor.

Plato joined the dynamic circle of Socrates and eventually became his greatest pupil. The only reason we know so much about Socrates is because Plato wrote dialogs about Socrates and others discussing philosophical ideas. Plato's greatest student was Aristotle. One of Plato's greatest writings was "The Republic" and it was one of the single most influential writings in western philosophy. "The Republic" asks two questions. The questions asked are What is the states justice, and what is a just man? "The Republic" discusses how to have a good life.

In 387, Plato founded an academy in a suburb outside of Athens, which consisted of a gymnasium and a park. This school of philosophy was sacred to the ancient ruler Akademos. The primary goal of the academy was to train the future leaders of Athens and other city-states. We can see how the lessons were taught by some of Plato's written dialogs. One of the most prevailing students at the academy was Aristotle who was at the academy in an early age, in a time where there were no fees at the academy. The teachings gradually became more mathematical and abstract until Arcesilaus brought the academy back to philosophical Skepticism. The academy lasted over 900 years and eventually brought in students from Rome and Byzantine. Even after the death of Plato, the school kept going until The emperor of Byzantine, Justinian, closed it.

Plato died in 347 B.C. After the death of Plato, not Aristotle, but Plato's nephew Speusippus took over the academy. Even after he died, his academy went on for centuries.

Sacks, David. "The Academy." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005.

Sacks, David. "Plato." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2005.