---
layout: post
title: "The Academy"
category: Plato
color: c1
tags: philosopy bio
image: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Anselm_Feuerbach_-_Das_Gastmahl._Nach_Platon_%28zweite_Fassung%29_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/1280px-Anselm_Feuerbach_-_Das_Gastmahl._Nach_Platon_%28zweite_Fassung%29_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg"
source: "Columbia University Press"
source_url: http://www.columbia.edu/itc/lithum/wong/plato.html
---

Plato, a Greek philosopher who lived for a time at the Syracuse court.
Founded the Academy (c.387<sub>B.C.</sub>) in Athens, the most influential and important learning instituion where he taught until his death in 347<sub>B.C.</sub>.
A pupil and friend of Socrates, and taught one of the greatest philosopher, Aristotle.
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Plato produced 35 dialogues and 13 letters including:

- Early (Socratic dialogues):
  - The Apology
  - Meno
  - Gorgias

- Middle dialogues:
  - The Republic
  - Phaedo
  - Symposium
  - Timaeus

- Later dialogues:
  - The Laws
  - Parmenides

In his magnum opus, <cite>The Republic</cite> Plato argues for the philosopher-king as best kind of ruler;
only a philosopher "understands the harmony of all parts of the universe with the Idea of the Good,"
and therefore, "is capable of ruling the just state."

> Virtue consists in the harmony of the human soul with the universe of Ideas, which assure order, intelligence, and pattern to a world in constant flux. Supreme among them is the Idea of the Good, analogous to the sun in the physical world.