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A classic work of ancient Greek literature from one of the most famous of all ancient Greek philosophers, the «Phaedo» is the story of the last moments of Socrates life as recounted by Phaedo a first-hand witness to Socrates final hours. In those last moments Socrates explains that his suicide does not matter because his soul is immortal and he proceeds to give four reasons why this is so. No two greater figures than Plato and Socrates exist in the world of ancient Greek philosophy. Here they are brought together, one as the subject and the other as the author. Presented here is the classic introduction and translation of Benjamin Jowett.

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The «Meno» begins abruptly with a question of Meno, who asks, 'whether virtue can be taught.' Socrates replies that he does not as yet know what virtue is, and has never known anyone who did. 'Then he cannot have met Gorgias when he was at Athens.' Yes, Socrates had met him, but he has a bad memory, and has forgotten what Gorgias said. Will Meno tell him his own notion, which is probably not very different from that of Gorgias? 'O yes-nothing easier: there is the virtue of a man, of a woman, of an old man, and of a child; there is a virtue of every age and state of life, all of which may be easily described.' Here is presented the classic introduction and translation of Benjamin Jowett.

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One of the middle or transitional dialogues of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, «Gorgias» is one of his more important writings. Plato contrasts the rhetorician and the philosopher, whose differing specialties are persuasion and refutation, respectively. The famous foreign rhetorician Gorgias has been drawn to Athens and its intellectual sophistication and is the initial reason for the discussion. However, as Plato delves into arguments both incredible and forthright, he begins to contrast two differing ways of life, ultimately insisting on a rejection of temptations and a promotion of authentic morality. Plato is fully aware of the difficulty of his dialogue, acknowledging that philosophy is a 'bitter draught,' yet it will lead to the struggle for a purity of soul that will be fundamentally necessary on Judgment Day. With the key to true happiness brilliantly argued, even if it is only with himself, Plato opposes everyone and no one as the 'one true statesman' in the remarkable «Gorgias.»

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Thirteen of Plato's most well-known dialogues are included in the collection «Essential Dialogues of Plato.» Plato was a learned student of the early philosopher Socrates. Because Socrates did not write any works before his untimely death, Pluto took Socrates' beliefs and expressed them through imagined dialogues between the philosopher and his students. It was the first time in Western history that a philosophical dialectic between the teacher and student was developed. In the dialogues, Socrates and a student discuss multiple aspects of life through a similar structure. The student, in his ignorance, makes a wide, generalized statement, and Socrates then questions their thought processes. While Socrates was not trying to push his students into thinking a certain way, he wanted his students to discover their own truths through rational thinking and questioning the world. Plato showed this poignantly in his dialogues, which preserved his teacher's legacy while solidifying Plato himself as one of the most unique literary minds in early Western civilization. Plato not only fleshes out the characters and creates narrative story arcs in his dialogues, but he even injects humor and wit into his works. Some of the works included in this text are «Ion,» «Gorgias,» «Phaedrus,» «Crito,» and «Laws.» «Essential Dialogues of Plato» is a must-read for any serious student of philosophy as well as those with an interest in Western values and beliefs.

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Plato's «Phaedrus» is a dialogue between Phaedrus and the great Greek philosopher Socrates. Phaedrus has been spending the morning with Lysias, the celebrated rhetorician, and is going to refresh himself by taking a walk outside the wall, when he is met by Socrates, who professes that he will not leave him until he has delivered up the speech with which Lysias has regaled him, and which he is carrying about in his mind, or more probably in a book hidden under his cloak, and is intending to study as he walks. The imputation is not denied, and the two agree to direct their steps out of the public way along the stream of the Ilissus towards a plane-tree which is seen in the distance. There, lying down amidst pleasant sounds and scents, they will read the speech of Lysias.

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The ancient Greek Philosopher Plato was born around 425 BCE to an aristocratic family. He enjoyed the privilege of being a student of Socrates, but would eventually go on to form his own school, the Academy. Plato, most remembered for his philosophical work «The Republic,» was disciplined in all forms of writing. His dialogues are among the most popular and still studied by students and lovers of philosophy. Plato wrote his dialogues to reflect the wisdom that Socrates had imparted to the students. In fact, while many of Socrates' dialogues with his other students are recorded in Plato's writings, Plato's own voice never appears in any of the dialogues. In «Five Dialogues,» Plato's works «Euthyphro,» «Apology,» «Critico,» «Meno,» and «Phaedo» all feature Socrates speaking to a student or friend who is asking about laws, the virtue of mankind, the purpose of the gods, and death. Each dialogue searches through different facets of philosophy and makes the reader question their own personal beliefs and morals. While there is no underlying storyline, the dialogues follow important moments in Socrates' life, from his trial to his death. He was charged by the government for not believing in the Greek gods and was eventually put to death by having to drink the poison Hemlock. Plato's works strove to record and safeguard his teacher's wisdom for future generations to discover.

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Two late dialogues of Plato designed to be part of a trilogy that the philosopher did not finish, «Timaeus» and «Critias» utilize a few select men to theorize on the natural world and to tell a story of the lost city of Atlantis. «Timaeus» is a treatise, written in Socratic dialogue form in 360 BC, that speculates on the nature of the physical world, the purpose of the universe, properties of the universe, the creation of the world soul, the elements, and the golden ratio. It is followed by the dialogue «Critias,» which tells the tale of the powerful island kingdom of Atlantis. Though the people are the offspring of a god, their human nature begins to corrupt them. They attempt to conquer Athens but fail because of the Athenians' well-ordered society. Just as Zeus begins to decree their punishment, however, the incomplete work comes to an end. Though not extant, this pair of dialogues is clearly the writing of a brilliant mind posing and considering creative ideas.

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Because of the absence of writings by Socrates, we only know of his philosophical beliefs through the writings of his students. Fortunately many of these have survived through to today and provide an excellent primary source for the understanding of this great philosopher. Of all the students' writings none are more comprehensive and informative with regard to Socrates than those of Plato. Contained in this volume are some of the most important of those writings by Plato. In «Euthyphro» we find a dialogue between Socrates and Euthyphro, a religious expert, concerning the definition of piety or holiness. This dialogue is important for it examines the injustice of the charge against Socrates of not believing in the gods in whom the city believed. In the «Apology» we find Plato's version of the speech given by Socrates in his defense at his trial. In «Crito» we find a conversation between Socrates and his wealthy friend Crito regarding justice, injustice, and the appropriate response to injustice. In this dialogue we see Socrates refusing Crito's offering to finance his escape from prison on the basis that injustice cannot be solved by further injustice. In «Phaedo» we find a dialogue depicting the death of Socrates. Collectively these works detail the final days of Socrates and provide a profound example of the virtues for which Socrates both lived and died for.

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A classic work of ancient Greek literature from Plato, one of the most famous of all ancient Greek philosophers, the “Phaedo” is the moving story of the last moments of Socrates life as recounted by Phaedo, a student of Socrates and a first-hand witness to his final hours. “Phaedo” is the fourth and last dialogue by Plato of Socrates final days, following “Euthyphro”, “Apology”, and “Crito”. In “Phaedo” we see the famous philosopher in his last hours before drinking poison hemlock, as he has been sentenced to do by an Athenian jury for his refusal to believe in the gods of the state and for corrupting the youth with his ideas. Socrates explains to the students there to witness his death that his suicide does not matter because his soul is immortal. In support of his belief, Socrates introduces many of the themes and dualities that have come to define Western culture and philosophy: life and death, soul and body, reason and emotion, science and belief. Here in this masterpiece of ancient Greek literature, two of history’s greatest philosophers are brought together, one as the subject and the other as the author. Presented here is the classic translation with introduction by Benjamin Jowett. This edition also includes a biographical afterword.

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Two late dialogues of Plato designed to be part of a trilogy that the philosopher did not finish, “Timaeus” and “Critias” utilize a few select men to theorize on the natural world and to tell a story of the lost city of Atlantis. “Timaeus” is a treatise, written in Socratic dialogue form in 360 BC, that speculates on the nature of the physical world, the purpose of the universe, properties of the universe, the creation of the world, the soul, the elements, and the golden ratio. It is followed by the dialogue “Critias”, which tells the tale of the powerful island kingdom of Atlantis. Though the people are the offspring of a god, their human nature begins to corrupt them. They attempt to conquer Athens but fail because of the Athenians’ well-ordered society. Just as Zeus begins to decree their punishment, however, the incomplete work comes to an end. Though not extant, this pair of dialogues is clearly the writing of a brilliant mind posing and considering creative ideas. This edition follows the translations with introductions of Benjamin Jowett and includes a biographical afterword.

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