Philosophers · Head-to-head
Plato vs Aristotle
Yes — based on their recorded years, Plato (c. 428–347 BCE) and Aristotle (384–322 BCE) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
Plato
An ancient Greek philosopher of Classical Athens, most commonly considered the foundational thinker of Western philosophy.
Key achievements
- Founded the Academy, an influential philosophical school in Athens
- Wrote extensive philosophical dialogues that shaped Western thought
- Influenced all major areas of theoretical and practical philosophy
- Is considered the foundational thinker of the Western philosophical tradition
Fast fact
Plato was an innovator of the literary dialogue and dialectic forms of writing.
Full profile of Plato →Aristotle
An ancient Greek philosopher and polymath whose writings set the groundwork for the development of modern science.
Key achievements
- Founded the Peripatetic school of philosophy at the Lyceum in Athens
- Wrote extensively across natural science, philosophy, and politics
- Set groundwork that influenced the development of modern scientific method
- Tutored Alexander the Great during his youth
Fast fact
Aristotle founded the Peripatetic school of philosophy at the Lyceum in Athens.
Full profile of Aristotle →Who lived first, Plato or Aristotle?
Plato (c. 428–347 BCE) lived first, before Aristotle (384–322 BCE), based on their recorded years.
Were Plato and Aristotle contemporaries?
Yes — based on their recorded years, Plato (c. 428–347 BCE) and Aristotle (384–322 BCE) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
What do Plato and Aristotle have in common?
Both Plato and Aristotle are grouped among our Philosophers figures and lived during the Ancient World.