Plato
Plato (Greek: Πλάτων, Plátōn, "name means::broad") (428/Born::427 BC – 348/Died::347 BC) was a classical Greek philosopher, the student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle. 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.[1]
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 (Greek: Αριστοκλης, Aristokles), 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.[2] |
” |
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
