A review by christian_mcguire
The Last Days of Socrates by Plato
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.