Plato (c. 427-347 BCE) was a prominent ancient Greek philosopher and student of Socrates, who later founded the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Heavily influenced by Socratic teachings, Plato's dialogues often featured Socrates as the protagonist, engaging in philosophical discussions. Plato is best known for his Theory of Forms, which asserts that non-material abstract ideas or forms, rather than the material world, represent the highest and most fundamental kind of reality. As a deeply reflective and abstract thinker, Plato contributed to various fields, including metaphysics, ethics, politics, and epistemology.