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Plato was a great [[Greek philosopher]] from 428 to 347 BC.  He was a student of [[Socrates]] and founded the Academy, a school bereft of buildings wherein Plato taught his students math, logic, and the tenants of Sophitic thought. He wrote the [[Republic]], and its logical sequel, [[The Laws]], as well as a large number of other, less popular works in which he showed (amongst other things) how to teach [[geometry]] to [[slaves]], how to irritate [[sophists]], and how everything in the world is made of triangles.  One of Plato's pupils was [[Aristotle]].

Plato was a great [[Greek philosopher]] from 428 to 347 BC.  He was a student of [[Socrates]] and founded the Academy, a school bereft of buildings wherein Plato taught his students math, logic, and the tenants of Sophitic thought. He wrote the [[Republic]], and its logical sequel, [[The Laws]], as well as a large number of other, less popular works in which he showed (amongst other things) how to teach [[geometry]] to [[slaves]], how to irritate [[sophists]], and how everything in the world is made of triangles.  One of Plato's pupils was [[Aristotle]], who went on to greatly influence Aquinas, and much of the [[Magesterium]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Although Plato cannot be described as a theist, he was a major influence on early Christian teachings, and there is notably similarity between his philosophy- [[The Form of the Good]], the [[soul]], and so on, and the most fundamental theistic beliefs.

Plato also created the allegory of the cave. In this story there are a group of individuals chained in a cave with a fire to their backs. They cannot turn their heads and may only gaze upon the shadows reflecting off the cave walls. The more intelligent among them begin to recognize patterns within the flames and think they are finding knowledge. One day someone escapes and views the real world where he observes the real world. He returns to tell his companions of his amazing discovery only to be refuted and disbelieved by the cave dwellers who cannot even comprehend what he is trying to tell them. Further hurting his credibility, having been in the light he finds it difficult to operate in the dim cave and appears clumsy. In this way man lives in the dark paying attention to inperminent and partial truths while scorning those who would attempt to show them truths that do not fit into their reality.

Plato also created the allegory of the cave. In this story there are a group of individuals chained in a cave with a fire to their backs. They cannot turn their heads and may only gaze upon the shadows reflecting off the cave walls. The prisoners establish a primitive social order in which respect is granted to those who can correctly predict which (completly random) shape will next be projected onto the wall. One day someone escapes and, after a long and ardous struggle symbolising how difficult and uncomfortable it can be for Man to practice philosophy and profoundly reconsider the world around him, observes the real world. He returns to tell his companions of his amazing discovery only to be refuted and disbelieved by the cave dwellers, who cannot even comprehend what he is trying to tell them, and prefer to play their shadow games. Further hurting his credibility, having been in the light he finds it difficult to operate in the dim cave and appears clumsy, and completly unable to perceive the shadows- he has no social status and is ostracised as a literal 'outsider'. In this Plato illustrates the futility of shallow living and paying heed to traditional and social convention, and shows that Man must strive out on his own to gain true knowledge.

[[Category:Biographies]]

[[Category:Biographies]]

[[Category:Philosophy]]

[[Category:Philosophy]]