What You Should Know About the Philosopher Plato

Plato was originally named Aristocles (not to be confused with Aristotle). Plato was born in Athens around May 21 in 428 or 427 B.C.

Plato was a student and follower of Socrates. It is through Plato that we are most familiar with Socrates' philosophy. Plato wrote dialogues in which his teacher took part, usually asking leading questions - known as the Socratic method.

In the Middle Ages, Plato was known through Latin translations of Arabic translations. In the Renaissance - when Greek became more familiar - far more scholars studied Plato. Plato had an impact on math, science, morals, and political theory.

Plato may have founded an institution known as the Academy, from which we get the word academic. When Plato died, the leadership of the Academy passed to his nephew Speusippus. The Academy continued for several centuries.