Although different in each region, cosmogenic myths have many universal elements that are seemingly essential to the genre. The archetypal creation or origin myth contains four ideas that create a basis for subsequent cultural dogma: primordial chaos, dualism, creation through sacrifice, and conjecture. They can start very simple and become more complex as they are influenced by time. They could be distorted, as they were passed down through oral tradition. And then, when they are written, the meaning may change. But none of this will matter because, without the proper context, it is not possible to understand the true implications of cosmogenic myths. Plato, Greek philosopher and student of Socrates, lived in Athens in c. 429–347 BC His work explored political, ethical, and metaphysical themes and influenced the development of Western society. Plato's works endure not only for the concepts they explore, but for their dialectical style. All but one of his works are based on dialogues, in which characters hold philosophical debates. His dialogues have sparked much controversy among academics, as it is unclear which parts were Plato's beliefs and which were the character's. Since this is true, it is thought that Plato's intention was for the reader to see the works as a whole. Any interpretation of Plato reflects personal philosophy, which may have been his intention; why should the author's thoughts seem better than our interpretations of his philosophical principles? Plato's Timaeus discusses the creation of the universe (or kosmos) and is widely accepted as one of his later works. In Timaeus, Plato describes how the divine craftsman, or Demiurge, created order from chaos by imposing the mat...... in the center of the card......, 2011. Web. 02 November 2011. .Reed , Annette Y. "The Five Books of Moses." Thesis. McMaster University: Department of Religious Studies, Fall 2004. AnnetteReed.Com. Network. November 3, 2011. .Shorey, Paul. "The Interpretations of Timaeus." The American Journal of Philology 9.8 (1888): 395-418. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Network. October 18, 2011. .Tanner, J. Paul. "Old Testament I: Analysis of Old Testament Sources". Lesson. Twelfth Session. Biblical theological studies. 1 June 2000. Web. 3 November 2011. .Zeyl, Donald, "Plato's Timaeus", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2009 edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed..), .