Plato vs. Socrates — What's the Difference?

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher.

Socrates was Plato's mentor.

Plato was a student of Socrates.

Socrates was sentenced to death by the Athenian state.

Plato was the founder of the Academy in Athens.

Socrates is known for the Socratic method.

Plato wrote dialogues, using characters to explore philosophical ideas.

Socrates was an Athenian philosopher.

Plato is known for his theory of forms.

Socrates did not leave behind any writings.

Plato ( PLAY-toe; Greek: Πλάτων Plátōn, pronounced [plá.tɔːn] in Classical Attic; 428/427 or 424/423 – 348/347 BC) was an Athenian philosopher during the Classical period in Ancient Greece, founder of the Platonist school of thought and the Academy, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. He is widely considered one of the most important and influential individuals in human history, and the pivotal figure in the history of Ancient Greek and Western philosophy, along with his teacher, Socrates, and his most famous student, Aristotle.

Socrates (; Ancient Greek: Σωκράτης Sōkrátēs [sɔːkrátɛːs]; c. 470–399 BC) was a Greek philosopher from Athens who is credited as a founder of Western philosophy and the first moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought. An enigmatic figure, Socrates authored no texts and is known mainly through the posthumous accounts of classical writers, particularly his students Plato and Xenophon.

(c.429–c.347 BC), Greek philosopher.

Ancient Athenian philosopher; teacher of Plato and Xenophon (470-399 BC)

Ancient Athenian philosopher; pupil of Socrates; teacher of Aristotle (428-347 BC)

Socrates was an Athenian philosopher known for his questioning method and is considered the father of Western philosophy.

Yes, Plato wrote dialogues in which Socrates was often the main character.

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher and the founder of the Academy in Athens.

Plato was a student of Socrates, greatly influenced by his teachings.

Socrates was sentenced to death by the Athenian state and drank hemlock.

While philosophy was central, Plato's works also touched on politics, mathematics, and metaphysics.

No, Socrates did not leave behind any writings.

The Academy was the first institution of higher learning in the Western world, based in Athens.

The Socratic method is a form of questioning to stimulate critical thinking and expose contradictions.

Yes, Plato proposed the theory of forms, believing in an abstract world of ideal forms.

Socrates was a real historical figure, though much of our knowledge about him comes from Plato's writings.

Plato was critical of Athenian democracy, believing it led to the death of his mentor, Socrates.

While both shared many philosophical beliefs, there were differences, like Plato's theory of forms which isn't directly attributed to Socrates.

Yes, Socrates was imprisoned and later sentenced to death by the Athenian state.

Socrates emphasized the importance of questioning and self-knowledge, laying the groundwork for future philosophers.