Plato

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Frescoe by Raphael (1509) showing Plato pointing toward the heavens, in contrast to Aristotle who pointed toward the Earth.
Frescoe by Raphael (1509) showing Plato pointing toward the heavens, in contrast to Aristotle who pointed toward the Earth.

Plato was a philosopher from Greece. He was a student of Socrates. In addition to his legendary philosophizing, he was also a renown mathematician and the founder of the first educational institution for older students, the Academy.

Though the work he produced throughout his life was important, it's equally important to note that many historians believe that Plato was a frequent participant in homosexual escapades throughout his life. According to Diogenes, Plato was originally named Aristocles, but his wrestling coach, Ariston of Argos gave him the nickname Platon, because of his athletic figure.

Plato wrote the following question and answer sometime around 350 BC:

Is the world created or uncreated? -- that is the first question. Created, I reply, being visible and tangible and having a body, and therefore sensible; and if sensible, then created; and if created, made by a cause, and the cause is the ineffable father of all things, who had before him an eternal archetype. - Plato, Timaeus, [1]

Writings

At some point in antiquity, it became the tradition to arrange Plato's writings, or what are called dialogues in groups of four called, "tetralogies."

Volume I: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo

Voume II: Cratylus, Theaetetus, Sophist, Statesman

Volume III: Parmenides, Philebus, Symposium, Phaedrus

Volume IV: Alcibiades, 2nd Alcibiades, Hipparchus, Rival Lovers

Volume V: Theages, Charmides, Laches, Lysis

Volume VI: Euthydemus, Protagoras, Gorgias, Meno

Volume VII: Hippias major, Hippias minor, Ion, Menexenus

Volume VIII: Clitophon, Republic, Timaeus, Critias

Volume IX: Minos, Laws, Epinomis, Letters

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