The quote, “Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another”, is attributed to Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher. It reflects Plato’s belief in the transformative power of learning and the pursuit of higher knowledge. By studying the stars and the cosmos, Plato suggests that we elevate our thoughts and aspirations, connecting with something greater than ourselves.

Plato (427–347 BCE) was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. He founded the Academy in Athens, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. His philosophical works explored ethics, politics, metaphysics, and epistemology, many of which remain foundational to Western philosophy.

This quote symbolizes how astronomy, as a discipline, inspires curiosity, wonder, and a sense of transcendence. It urges us to move beyond the mundane and ponder the vastness of the universe and our place within it.