In this masterpiece, Thomas Alexander Szlezák, one of the world's most renowned Plato experts, brings us closer to Plato, not only as a philosopher but also as a human being. Plato was strongly influenced by the trial against his teacher Socrates (399 BC) and by his own school of philosophy - the Academy. In his detailed analysis of Plato's dialogues and letters, the author sheds light on central questions of authenticity, style and chronology of the entire work. The author focusses on Plato’s epistemology, his theory of principles, conveyed orally, and the examination of the very significant Seventh Letter. Furthermore, he gives a detailed introduction to Plato's thinking. He addresses Plato’s conception of man, anthropology, theory of the soul and last but not least his ethics. Based on this background, Plato's theory of state, his cosmology and the theory of principles are vividly explained. And finally, the question of the idea of the good, the "principle of everything" and thus Plato's concept of God comes to the fore.