Plato's Influence On Athens

Plato was a famous Greek philosopher and mathematician from Athens that is now well known throughout the world. He lived from 427 B.C.E. to 347 B.C.E. He’s famously known for being Socrates’ student and the teacher of Aristotle. He has many writings that explored justice, beauty, and equality as well as containing discussions in aesthetics, political philosophy, theology, cosmology, epistemology, and the philosophy of language. His writings were highly influenced by Socrates as he would convey and expand on the ideas and techniques of his teacher. Plato founded the Academy which was the first institution of higher learning in the Western World and offered subjects like astronomy, biology, mathematics, political theory, and philosophy. Plato …show more content…
In ancient times Greece was divided into city states, with Athens and Sparta being the most powerful and important. Much is known about Athens because it produced many writers and artists, whose work has survived to this day. Athens was the largest and most powerful Greek state. It was a city full of beautiful public buildings, shops, and public baths. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, was the patron of Athens. Ancient Athens didn’t have a king but was ruled by the people as a democracy. Just like many children of noble class, Plato was taught by some of Athens’ finest educators He studied at a gymnasium owned by Dionysios, and at the palaistra of Ariston of Argos. He was educated in philosophy, poetry, grammar, music, painting, and gymnastics by renowned Athenian teachers including the philosopher Cratylus. According to Aristotle, Plato developed the foundations of his metaphysics and epistemology by studying the doctrines of Craylus, and the work of Pythagoras and Parmenides. Plato also had wrestled at the Isthmian games and performed …show more content…
His work covered a large spectrum of interests and ideas like mathematics, science, nature, morals, and political theory. His beliefs on the importance of mathematics in education has proven to be essential for understanding the entire universe. His work on the use of reason to create a more fair and just society that’s focused on equality of individuals established the foundation of modern democracy. He was able to lead the foundation of Western philosophy and science along with Socrates and Aristotle. The Academy flourished for nearly three centuries but was eventually destroyed. Without Plato, as well as Socrates and Aristotle, modern philosophy wouldn’t be the