As a domain expert in the field of philosophy and history, I am well-versed in the lives and works of the great thinkers of ancient Greece. The question of who came first between Aristotle and Plato is a matter of historical record and is quite straightforward.
Plato was born in Athens around 428/427 BCE and died around 348/347 BCE. He was a student of Socrates and is known for his philosophical dialogues, which have been foundational in Western philosophy. Plato's most famous work is likely "The Republic," where he outlines his vision of an ideal state governed by philosopher-kings.
Aristotle, on the other hand, was born in 384 BCE and died in 322 BCE. He was a student of Plato and went on to become one of the most influential philosophers in history. Aristotle's work spanned a wide range of subjects, including logic, metaphysics, natural science, ethics, and aesthetics. He is known for his empirical approach to knowledge and his emphasis on the importance of observation and experience.
The relationship between the three—Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—is often referred to as the "Socratic School" or the "Platonic Academy." Socrates was the first of the three, and he did not write any works down; instead, his teachings were passed down through his students, primarily through Plato's dialogues. Plato was a direct student of Socrates and wrote extensively about his teacher's ideas and his own philosophical developments. Aristotle studied under Plato for nearly 20 years at the Academy in Athens before establishing his own school, the Lyceum.
In summary, Socrates was the first, followed by Plato, and then Aristotle. Their contributions to philosophy have had a profound and lasting impact on Western thought, and their ideas continue to be studied and debated to this day.
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