Socrates-Plato-Aristotle

Plato was a student of Socrates and Aristotle was a student of Plato. These three Greek philosopohers helped to lay the philosophical foundations of Western culture. Socrates left no writings. Plato established the Academy in Athens. It was the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Aristotle, the son of the Court physician of the Macedonian royal family, was sent to the Academy to study philosophy with Plato. He was there 20 years. He tutored Alexander the Great after Alexander conquered Athens. This picture of Plato and Aristotle (on the right) is taken from Raphael's fresco "The School of Athens" (pictured below).