Final answer:
Plato was indeed 'very much' interested in the philosophical examination of nature, which can be considered an early form of scientific thought. He valued understanding the world through reason and contributing to knowledge that laid the groundwork for modern science.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering whether Plato was interested in science, we observe that in ancient times, science and philosophy were not clearly separated as they are today. Many of the considerations and inquiries made by philosophers like Plato can be regarded as early forms of scientific thought. Therefore, Plato's interest in the natural world, the classification of animals and plants, and the natural phenomena would indicate that he was indeed very much interested in science, or what was then a philosophical examination of nature. The question of Plato's interest in science is less about 'if' and more about 'how,' since the distinction between philosophy and science as separate disciplines did not exist in Plato's time.
How might this reflective approach to understanding the world be important for a life worth living? Well, Plato commands us to measure things and look for patterns, asserting this as a method to discover truths and gain knowledge. He deeply values the speculative thought processes in understanding the universe's composition and origins. Thus, in relation to Socrates' examined life, seeking to understand the world through reason and not solely through religious or mythological explanations was significant to them both. Despite his era's limitations in scientific methodology, lacking experiment and observation that define modern science, his contributions laid the groundwork for the methods that would eventually shape how we comprehend the world today.