Early Socratic Dialogues

by Plato (Author); Saunders, Trevor J. (Translator); Saunders, Trevor J. (Editor)

• ISBN13: 9780140455038
• ISBN10: 0140455035
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-12-27
• Publisher: Penguin Classics

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Plato (c. 427-û347 BC) was one of the shapers of the intellectual tradition of the West and sought cures for the ills of society in philosophy.
Trevor J. Saunders has translated many volumes of Plato for Penguin Classics, including The Laws.
Chris Emlyn-Jones teaches in the department of classical studies at the Open University.

Table of Contents

PREFACE TO 2005 EDITION	7	(2)
EDITOR'S PREFACE	9	(2)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS	11	(2)
INTRODUCTION TO SOCRATES	13	(26)
1. Childish Questions	13	(1)
2. Socrates and His Predecessors	14	(1)
3. The Sources for Socrates	15	(4)
4. Induction	19	(1)
5. Definition	20	(2)
6. Practical Implications	22	(1)
7. Socrates' Paradoxes	23	(2)
8. Socratic Eudaemonism	25	(2)
9. Other Paradoxes	27	(1)
10. The Supreme Socratic Paradox	28	(1)
11.. Socratic Elenchus	29	(3)
12. Socrates and Plato	32	(1)
13. Socrates and Greek Democracy	33	(2)
14. The Purpose of the Dialogues	35	(4)
ION
Introduction	39	(8)
Summary	47	(2)
Translation with running comment	49	(20)
LACHES
Introduction	69	(12)
Summary	81	(2)
Translation with running comment	83	(36)
LYSIS
Introduction	119	(10)
Summary	129	(2)
Translation with running comment	131	(34)
CHARMIDES
Introduction	165	(10)
Summary	175	(2)
Translation with running comment	177	(36)
HIPPIAS MAJOR AND HIPPIAS MINOR
Introduction	213	(4)
Introduction to Hippias Major	217	(12)
Summary	229	(2)
Translation with running comment	231	(36)
Introduction to Hippias Minor	267	(6)
Summary	273	(2)
Translation with running comment	275	(22)
EUTHYDEMUS
Introduction	297	(16)
Summary	313	(2)
Translation with running comment	315	(62)
APPENDIX
Some Fragments of Aeschines of Sphettus	377	(4)
BIBLIOGRAPHIES	381	(16)
SELECTIVE INDEX OF GREEK PERSONAL NAMES	397