Plato, known as perhaps the greatest of all the ancient Greek philosophers and educators, was more interested in moral rather than natural (or scientific) philosophy. Nevertheless, he made many important contributions to the philosophy of mathematics and physics, primarily through his belief and teachings that mathematics provided the best training for the mind. Born in Athens, Greece, to wealthy and aristocratic parents, Plato was originally named Aristocles. He later was called "Platon," meaning broad, by schoolmates as a nickname because of his broad shoulders. Plato's first inclination was to enter politics, but he grew disillusioned with political life, especially after his teacher, the Greek philosopher Socrates, received a death sentence by the government of Athens. After the death of his mentor, who committed suicide in 399 B.C., Plato left Athens and traveled to Egypt and Italy, where he learned to appreciate mathematics from the disciples of Pythagoras.

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