
Greek philosopher - 427-347 B.C.
Note: Dates are approximate, there is some uncertainty
as to his birth and death
Plato was a student of Socrates until the latter's death in 399 BC at
the hands of the Athenian authorities. After his teacher's death, Plato traveled extensively, including journeys in Egypt.
In 387 BC he returned to Athens and founded the Academy,
a school of science and philosophy, that became the model for the modern university.
Perhaps the most famous student of the Academy was Aristotle whose teachings
have had tremendous impact on philosophy through today.
Due to the Academy's safekeeping, many of Plato's works have survived.
His extant writings are in the form of letters and dialogues, the most famous
of which is probably The Republic. His writings cover subjects ranging
from knowledge to happiness to politics to nature.
Two of his dialogues, Timeaus and
Critias, hold the only known original references to the island of Atlantis.
Click here for information about sites
where you can find out more about Plato and where you can obtain copies
of all of his works.