/socrates.jpg)
One of the most important events in his life was no doubt his encounter, sometime in his youth, with Socrates, an older (approx 470-399 B.C.) and influential philosopher of which he became a "follower" until Socrates' trial and death in 399 BC. Whether he had other teachers during his youth, who they were and what he learned from them, we don't know for sure. But we can see from his dialogues that he knew quite well the doctrines of most of the philosophers who preceded him (those we call now the "presocratics" and the sophists) and had a high level of "scientific" knowledge for the time, especially in mathematics.
Socrates was falsely arrested for impious behaviour and corrupting youth. To Plato's dismay he was found guilty and chose to die by drinking poison. Plato was deeply influenced by the manner of his friend's death; he later recounted Socrates' speech of defense in Apology.For more information on Socrates check out this page
Back to the main page