Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher who lived during the end of the 5th and beginning of the 4th century BC. He was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. Plato is best known for his philosophical writings in the form of dialogues, which feature Socrates as the main character, engaging in discussions on various topics such as ethics, politics, metaphysics, and epistemology. Through these dialogues, Plato presented his philosophical ideas and explored fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, and the nature of the human soul. Platos 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. He is also known for founding the Academy in Athens, which was the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Platos work covers more or less every major branch of philosophy, including philosophy, politics, mathematics, science, and theories of education.