Plato : Biography , Thought, Phrases and Legacy

Plato's influence on philosophy and the nature of humans has had a lasting impact far beyond his homeland in Greece. His work covered a wide spectrum of interests and ideas: mathematics, science and nature, morality, and political theory. His beliefs about the importance of mathematics in education have proven essential for understanding the entire universe. His work on the use of reason to develop a more just society centered on equality of individuals laid the foundation for modern democracy, and his thinking remains relevant to this day. Plato consistently demonstrated a deep concern and interest in education, and his ideas on the subject ultimately materialized in the founding of the Academy. There, various subjects were studied and researched, eventually branching out into disciplines such as logic, ethics, and physics, among others. For this philosopher, knowledge was the key to distinguishing between good and evil and approaching virtue. That's why he placed special emphasis on the education of all individuals. Plato was concerned with providing equal education for both girls and boys. Through the educational process, individuals acquire the skills and sufficient knowledge to become aware of the existence of the intelligible world (the world of ideas) and approach it. Only through education can individuals free themselves and detach from the earthly world in order to finally reach authentic reality, virtue.