427-348? B.C.

Greek Philosopher

Although Plato himself did not contribute substantial works directly to science and mathematics, his philosophy and methods of education heavily influenced developments in these fields for many centuries. Many of his ideas were taken from earlier Greek philosophers, especially Socrates (470-399 B.C.). However, Plato was the first to produce a large body of writing that covered the major aspects of philosophy discussed today.

Plato was born into an upper-class family in Athens at a time when the power of his home city was in decline. He fought in the Peloponnesian War (409-404 B.C.) against Sparta, and came to respect the Spartan system of rigid government and strict social rules which appeared to give them the power to defeat Athens. Plato seemed destined for a political career, but the corrupt politics of the age and the treatment given to his teacher Socrates...