Academy (Plato's institution)

Plato’s Academy was an ancient school established around 387 BCE in Athens, serving as a place for philosophical discussion, learning, and research. It was not a formal university but a gathering of thinkers fostering inquiry into subjects like ethics, politics, and science. The Academy emphasized dialog and critical thinking, influencing Western philosophical tradition. It attracted students and scholars, including Aristotle, and operated until 529 CE when it was closed by the Byzantine Emperor. Overall, it was one of the earliest institutions dedicated to higher learning and intellectual exploration.