Plato studied under Socrates and was Aristotle's teacher. Together these three Greeks developed the basis of philosophical thinking for the entire Western world. Plato was also a writer, mathematician, and founder of the Academy in Athens, which was the first university in Europe. Alcibiades ! is a dialogue featuring Alcibiades in conversation with Socrates. In the preface Socrates tells Alcibiades he loves him. Socrates uses the rest of the dialogue to rehearse the reasons Alcibiades needs Socrates. The Athenian youth is almost persuaded by Socrates' reasoning. Socrates' attempts to win Alcibiades away from politics fall on deaf ears. For many years the authenticity of this dialogue has been debated.