The Last Days of Socrates - Plato

An illuminating and lucidly edited introduction to the character and thought of Socrates

The trial and condemnation of Socrates (469-399 B.C.), on charges of heresy and corrupting the minds of the young, forms one of the most tragic episodes in the history of Athens in decline. Plato chose to set the four works of this volume, despite their different subjects, in the context of the events leading up to Socrates’ execution. Euthyphro and Crito are typical Socratic dialogues, showing the pungency of his mind in addressing the question of man’s relationship with the gods and with society. The Apology is Plato’s version of Socrates’ speeches at his trial – a brilliant and humorous manifesto for a life guided by self-responsibility, though deliberately doomed to failure as a legal defence. In Phaedo, Plato develops his own philosophy out of Socrates’ calm confidence in the face of death.

Plato (c. 428/427 - c. 348/347 BCE) was a Greek philosopher and founder of the Academy in Athens. His writings form the basis of much of Western philosophy.

ISBN: 0 14 044.037 2