Plato
Ancient Greek philosopher whose dialogues starring his teacher Socrates founded the Western philosophical tradition Show bio
Bio
Plato wrote poems and tragedies as a young man, then burned them after meeting Socrates. He dropped his political ambitions when his teacher Socrates was put on trial.
Plato never spoke in his own voice, writing dialogues in which Socrates nearly always appears. He studied mathematics and learned from followers of Pythagoras in southern Italy. Plato developed his Theory of Forms, or Ideas, said to exist beyond ordinary human understanding.
He shaped Christian, Jewish and Islamic philosophy through later thinkers who built on his work. Plato burned his early poems, but his complete works are believed to survive today.
Books by Plato
- The RepublicThe Republic
A conversation led by Socrates asks what justice is, and imagines a city ruled by philosophers to answer it. Along the way comes the tale of a magic ring that makes its wearer invisible.
- ApologyApology
Socrates defends himself in court against charges of corrupting the young and offending the gods. Found guilty, he suggests his punishment should be free meals for life at public expense.
- PhaedoPhaedo
On the last day of his life, Socrates talks with friends in prison about death and the soul. It ends with him calmly drinking the poison he was sentenced to take.