Plato
Plato (c. 427-347 BCE) was a Greek philosopher whose literary work laid the absolute foundation of Western intellectual history. A student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, he bridged the transition from early Greek thought to a systematic exploration of ethics, politics and metaphysics. His most significant contribution is the 'Theory of Forms', which suggests that our physical world is an imperfect reflection of a higher, eternal reality. To Plato, the chair you sit on is merely a shadow; the 'Form' of the chair in the realm of ideas is the ultimate truth.
In 387 BCE, he founded 'The Academy' in Athens, often cited as the first university in the Western world. Through his famous 'Dialogues,' Plato used the character of Socrates to challenge conventional wisdom and encourage intellectual inquiry.
