Plato is a Greek philosopher widely regarded as one of the most foundational figures in Western philosophy. Born in Athens, Greece, into an aristocratic family, he studied under Socrates before founding the Academy in Athens, widely considered the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. He is remembered for works including The Republic, Phaedo, and The Symposium, texts written largely as dialogues featuring his teacher Socrates that continue to be studied as foundational works of philosophy, political theory, and ethics. His theory of Forms, which proposed that abstract, non-physical ideas represent the truest reality, shaped centuries of philosophical inquiry into the nature of knowledge, truth, and existence. Among his students was Aristotle, who would go on to become one of history's other most influential philosophers, extending Plato's legacy across generations of Western thought. Known for his dialectical method and unflinching exploration of justice, knowledge, and the ideal society, Plato's work continues to shape modern philosophy and political thought and inspire readers across the world.