This term is most often used to refer to Plato (c427-347 BC) a Greek philosopher. He was a pupil of the Athenian philosopher Socrates, who was considered to have gone against the Athenian state and forced to drink hemlock. Plato wrote about Socrates' life, death and beliefs, but is even more famous as the author of the "Republic" a book in which he outlines his ideal state, where life would be founded on reason and the wisest would rule. He believed that there is an "Idea" of goodness or perfection,which we can attain when we learn to govern our lives according to reason.
He founded an Academy for scholars in Athens in 387 BC; one of the students there was Aristotle, another founding father of philosophy and later tutor to Alexander the Great.
There is a page about Plato at
plato2
He founded an Academy for scholars in Athens in 387 BC; one of the students there was Aristotle, another founding father of philosophy and later tutor to Alexander the Great.
There is a page about Plato at
plato2
