Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher, student of Socrates, and teacher of Aristotle. He is best known for his philosophical works, which have had an unparalleled influence on Western thought. Platos works are written in the form of dialogues, and he is credited with innovating the written dialogue and dialectic forms in philosophy. His most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas), which has been interpreted as advancing a solution to what is now known as the problem of universals. Platos philosophy covers a wide range of topics, including ethics, politics, metaphysics, epistemology, and more.

Platos early life is not well known, but he was born into an aristocratic family in Athens and became a student of Socrates. After Socrates execution, Plato may have traveled extensively in Greece, Italy, and Egypt. He founded the Academy in Athens, which was the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Platos philosophy was deeply influenced by Socrates, and he often used Socrates as the main character in his works.

Platos works have been studied and read for over 2,400 years, and his influence has been felt in many areas of philosophy, as well as in Christian and Islamic philosophy. He is also the namesake of Platonic love and the Platonic solids.