The Last Days of Socrates: Euthyphro, The Apology, Crito, Phaedo

Type

Book

Authors

Plato

Hugh Tredennick

ISBN 10

0140440372

ISBN 13

9780140440379

Tags

Greece, Greek & Roman

Description

The trial and condemnation of Socrates (469-399 BC), on charges of heresy and corrupting the minds of the young, forms 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.

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