Who studied under Socrates and is known for his contributions to Western philosophy?

Plato is the student who studied under Socrates and significantly impacted Western philosophy. He was instrumental in developing various philosophical concepts, including the theory of forms, the nature of justice, and the ideal state. His dialogues often feature Socrates as a central character, showcasing Socratic methods of inquiry and logic. Through his works, Plato preserved Socratic philosophy and expanded on it, forming a foundational basis for many philosophical discussions that followed.

Aristotle, while a major philosopher in his own right, was actually a student of Plato, not Socrates. Aquinas and Descartes, although influential, came after Plato and were part of different philosophical traditions. Aquinas is known for integrating Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, while Descartes is often credited with initiating modern philosophy through his emphasis on reason and skepticism.