momomo's review against another edition
4.0
Found Euthyphro and the Apologia the most interesting ones. Crito was also good despite being quite short, but I found the main soul argument in the Pheado rather tiresome.
wwatts1734's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a collection of the four dialogues of Plato that take place in the last few days of the great philosopher, Socrates. The first dialogue is the Euthyphro, which deals with a conversation that Socrates had with the prosecutor Euthyphro about Euthyphro's plans to prosecute his own father for manslaughter for killing his servant. The second dialogue is the Apology, which is Socrates testimony at his own trial, in which Socrates was condemned to death for heresy and corrupting the morals of the youth of Athens. The third dialogue is the Crito, which was a conversation that Socrates had with his friend Crito, in which Crito tried to convince Socrates to allow his friends to bribe the jailer and allow Socrates to escape prior to his execution. The final dialogue, the Phaedo, was the last conversation that Socrates had with his friends prior to drinking the hemlock that took his life.
It is fascinating how many parallels the Socrates has to Jesus. For one thing, both men where unjustly condemned to death. For another thing, both men refused to avoid their own executions. Both men also preached about the importance of sacrificing everything for holiness and virtue. I am actually amazed at why I have not heard more sermons and homilies about these similarities.
But there are profound differences as well. For one thing, Socrates swore that he was not a wise man and did not deserve the accolades that he received from his fellow Athenians, whereas Jesus never claimed to be less than the Messiah. For another thing, Socrates had very strange ideas about reincarnation and the transmutation of souls, and he was not really sure about which gods were real and whether there was one or many gods, whereas Jesus was quite sure about these realities.
Reading these dialogues about Socrates' last days is very much like reading the thoughts of the early Fathers of the Christian Church, or even the Gospels, on the same subjects. It is wonderful to read a philosopher who feels that there are some things that are more important than being paid, being honored, or being recognized as the smartest guy on the block. Socrates held fast to the finer things in life, something that we Christians should likewise do, even Christian intellectuals. Perhaps Christian intellectuals can learn a thing or two from the four dialogues of the last days of Socrates.
It is fascinating how many parallels the Socrates has to Jesus. For one thing, both men where unjustly condemned to death. For another thing, both men refused to avoid their own executions. Both men also preached about the importance of sacrificing everything for holiness and virtue. I am actually amazed at why I have not heard more sermons and homilies about these similarities.
But there are profound differences as well. For one thing, Socrates swore that he was not a wise man and did not deserve the accolades that he received from his fellow Athenians, whereas Jesus never claimed to be less than the Messiah. For another thing, Socrates had very strange ideas about reincarnation and the transmutation of souls, and he was not really sure about which gods were real and whether there was one or many gods, whereas Jesus was quite sure about these realities.
Reading these dialogues about Socrates' last days is very much like reading the thoughts of the early Fathers of the Christian Church, or even the Gospels, on the same subjects. It is wonderful to read a philosopher who feels that there are some things that are more important than being paid, being honored, or being recognized as the smartest guy on the block. Socrates held fast to the finer things in life, something that we Christians should likewise do, even Christian intellectuals. Perhaps Christian intellectuals can learn a thing or two from the four dialogues of the last days of Socrates.
fionak's review against another edition
4.0
More entertaining than I expected. Sophocles is an intriguing subject but mostly I feel sorry for his wife (becoming a widow probably made her life better in many ways).
polynillium's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
christian_mcguire's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
This is four Plato dialogues, not written consecutively, but edited together to tell the story of Socrates's death. Phaedo is the big one and makes up the second half of the book. As a result, there are two things going on here. Firstly, this almost functions like a novel, or a play you only read, telling the story of Socrates. There is genuine pseudo-historical plot here, and for that I think it is worth a read as the writing and storytelling is fantastic.
Secondly, the body of the dialogues are philosophical discussions. I rather like dialogues as a literary format, and all around I'd have to say this is very readable and easy to follow. The problem for me is the philosophy itself. While there is certainly much to think about, and I don't think Plato really wrote this with the goal of it being taken uncritically, I think the philosophical claims and theories are... dated lets say. Primitive would be harsh considering how foundational Socrates and Plato are, but largely I think the ideas are a little silly and insufficiently empirical.
I most enjoyed Apology, which is basically courtroom drama and is Plato's most historical work in its content. Phaedo is probably my least favorite as it can be quite verbose. Despite covering the most ground, it is still overly long, and its ideas about the soul and how they are argued (or the lack thereof) can be a bit presumptuous.
Overall this is essential reading among the literature of Western classical iniquity, partly for its noteworthy philosophical claims, partly for its biographical details, and partly because it's just good if you're into this sort of thing.
Secondly, the body of the dialogues are philosophical discussions. I rather like dialogues as a literary format, and all around I'd have to say this is very readable and easy to follow. The problem for me is the philosophy itself. While there is certainly much to think about, and I don't think Plato really wrote this with the goal of it being taken uncritically, I think the philosophical claims and theories are... dated lets say. Primitive would be harsh considering how foundational Socrates and Plato are, but largely I think the ideas are a little silly and insufficiently empirical.
I most enjoyed Apology, which is basically courtroom drama and is Plato's most historical work in its content. Phaedo is probably my least favorite as it can be quite verbose. Despite covering the most ground, it is still overly long, and its ideas about the soul and how they are argued (or the lack thereof) can be a bit presumptuous.
Overall this is essential reading among the literature of Western classical iniquity, partly for its noteworthy philosophical claims, partly for its biographical details, and partly because it's just good if you're into this sort of thing.
samuelchadhardy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
bentoth1's review against another edition
4.0
A very nice thematically-linked string of dialogues that detail the final few conversations of Socrates. Riddled with clever thoughts, human misunderstandings, blunt humor, and expertly characterization. Plato is a master writer.
"I don't know what effect my accusers have had on you, men of Athens, but I can tell you they almost made even me forget where I was, so convincingly did they speak. But when it comes to the truth, they've said virtually nothing."
"I don't know what effect my accusers have had on you, men of Athens, but I can tell you they almost made even me forget where I was, so convincingly did they speak. But when it comes to the truth, they've said virtually nothing."