Platonism
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Platonism is the philosophy of Plato and philosophical systems closely derived from it, considered the opposite of nominalism, or anti-realism. Platonism has had a profound influence on Western though
Head of Plato, Roman copy. The original was exhibited at the Academy after the death of the philosopher (348/347 BC).
Plato holding his Timaeus, detail from the Vatican fresco The School of Athens
Site of Plato's Academy in Athens
Many Western churchmen, including Augustine of Hippo, have been influenced by Platonism.
Plato
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Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher of Classical Athens who is most commonly considered the foundational thinker of the Western philosophical tradition. An innovator of the literary dialogue and di
Platonism
…Platonism is the philosophy of Plato and philosophical systems closely derived from it, considered the opposite of nominalism, or anti-realism. Platonism has had a profound influence on…
Plato was one of the devoted young followers of Socrates, whose bust is pictured above.
Heraclitus (1628) by Hendrick ter Brugghen. Heraclitus saw a world in flux, with everything always in conflict, constantly changing.
Bust of Parmenides from Velia. Parmenides saw the world as eternal and unchanging, that all change was an illusion.
The mathematical and mystical teachings of the followers of Pythagoras, pictured above, exerted a strong influence on Plato.