Plato was involved in philosophy.
Plato . He is widely considered the most pivotal figure in the development of philosophy , especially the Western tradition . Along with his teacher , Socrates , and his most famous student , Aristotle , Plato laid the very foundations of Western philosophy and science . Plato 's influence on Christianity is often thought to be mediated by his major influence on Saint Augustine of Hippo , one of the most important philosophers and theologians in the foundation of the Western thought . Plato was the innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms in philosophy . ... He was not the first thinker or writer to whom the word `` philosopher '' should be applied .