Plato
428 BCE – 348 BCE Greek philosopher, teacher
Greek philosopher who founded the Academy, an early model for the university.
- Religion
- Ancient Greek polytheism.
- Affiliations
- Founded the Academy in Athens; student of Socrates.
Plato founded the Academy in Athens around 387 BC, an institution devoted to philosophy and mathematics that lasted for centuries. In works such as the Republic he set out one of the first systematic theories of education, tying schooling to the formation of just citizens and rulers. His pupil Aristotle went on to found a rival school, the Lyceum.
Connections
- mentor of Aristotle — Aristotle studied at Plato's Academy for about twenty years.
- mentor of Aristotle — He studied under Plato, then broke with the theory of forms.
- student of Aristotle — Aristotle studied at his Academy for twenty years.
- student of Aristotle — Trained at the Academy under Plato.
- influenced Pythagoras — Pythagorean number mysticism shaped Plato's theory of forms.
- mentor of Socrates — Socrates was his teacher and the voice of his dialogues.
- student of Socrates — Plato was his devoted pupil and preserved his teaching.