According to Plato, one studies philosophy in order to pursue happiness. Other alternative goals that a philosopher might have are to worship and place yourself in a right relationship with God. Through the study of philosophy, one can also reach personal autonomy, by becoming fully rational and fully critical. One can attain personal freedom through philosophical ideas. In order to understand and rationalize the views and ideas of some of the western philosophers, one must acknowledge the many differences between our style of living and theirs.
             Plato (428-347 BC) is recognized as one of the well-known and well-respected philosophers of all time. He was Socrates student and known to be proponent of rationality, unlike his teacher who thought that the best way to philosophy was to go out to the streets and teach the common people. Plato was the founder of an academy, which was an institution of higher learning. With the idea of Logos, and Cosmos, which are the laws of the universe. This academy was able to exist until 527 BC
             Some of the points being analyzed in this paper are not too popular with the contemporary view of today's society. Plato's views are still studied today because of their importance and their well argued points. These are ideas that are mostly well thought contradictions of today's ideas. The thoughts and ideas expressed in this philosophy paper allow the readers to understand and contradict Plato's real views concerning the laws of the state. Plato's dialog transmits his learning's through Socrates' teachings. The main emphasis is going to be on two of his dialogs, the Crito and the Apology. A major contradiction arises from these two dialogs concerning the obedience of the state's laws. A contradiction that is overpowered by the importance of being able to philosophize.
             Western philosophers were mainly concerned with understanding the natural laws. ...