In 387 BC, Plato founded the Academy in Athens, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. In his work 'The Republic,' he critiques poetry, arguing that it appeals more to emotion than reason, thus questioning its value in society. Plato's establishment of the Academy and his philosophical inquiries laid the groundwork for Western educational and philosophical traditions.

Plato's founding of the Academy in 387 BC and his critique of poetry initiated a long-standing debate regarding the moral and epistemological value of poetic art. This 'ancient quarrel' compelled poets to defend their craft, shaping the trajectory of Western literary criticism and influencing the works of poets who sought to reconcile artistic expression with philosophical inquiry.