Early Socratic Dialogues

Front Cover
Penguin, 1987 - Philosophy - 395 pages
Rich in drama and humour, they include the controversial Ion, a debate on poetic inspiration; Laches, in which Socrates seeks to define bravery; and Euthydemus, which considers the relationship between philosophy and politics. Together, these dialogues provide a definitive portrait of the real Socrates and raise issues still keenly debated by philosophers, forming an incisive overview of Plato's philosophy.
 

Contents

III
13
IV
14
V
15
VI
19
VII
20
VIII
22
IX
23
X
25
XX
81
XXI
119
XXII
129
XXIII
165
XXIV
175
XXV
209
XXVI
213
XXVII
225

XI
27
XII
28
XIII
29
XIV
32
XV
33
XVI
35
XVII
39
XVIII
47
XIX
69
XXVIII
263
XXIX
269
XXX
291
XXXI
293
XXXII
309
XXXIII
373
XXXV
377
XXXVI
390
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About the author (1987)

Plato was born c. 427 B.C. in Athens, Greece, to an aristocratic family very much involved in political government. Pericles, famous ruler of Athens during its golden age, was Plato's stepfather. Plato was well educated and studied under Socrates, with whom he developed a close friendship. When Socrates was publically executed in 399 B.C., Plato finally distanced himself from a career in Athenian politics, instead becoming one of the greatest philosophers of Western civilization. Plato extended Socrates's inquiries to his students, one of the most famous being Aristotle. Plato's The Republic is an enduring work, discussing justice, the importance of education, and the qualities needed for rulers to succeed. Plato felt governors must be philosophers so they may govern wisely and effectively. Plato founded the Academy, an educational institution dedicated to pursuing philosophic truth. The Academy lasted well into the 6th century A.D., and is the model for all western universities. Its formation is along the lines Plato laid out in The Republic. Many of Plato's essays and writings survive to this day. Plato died in 347 B.C. at the age of 80.

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