1. What are our chief sources of information concerning the life and teachings of Socrates? Why did he leave no writings? 2. Describe briefly the dialectic method as it was used by Socrates. Explain what is meant by the statement “virtue is knowledge.” 3. In what respect was Socrates opposed […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsSocrates Biography
Although Socrates left no written records concerning himself, it is possible to reconstruct a fairly accurate account of his life from the writings of his Greek contemporaries. Aristophanes caricatured him in a work called The Clouds. Xenophon in his Memorabilia expressed high praise for Socrates, with special reference to the […]
Read more Socrates BiographyPlato Biography
Among those who were influenced by the life and teachings of Socrates, no one has done more to perpetuate his memory than Plato, who has long been recognized as one of the greatest philosophers of ancient Greece and one of the most profound thinkers of all time. Plato was too […]
Read more Plato BiographySummary and Analysis Phaedo
Summary After an interval of some months or years, an account of the last hours of Socrates is narrated to Echecrates and other interested persons by Phaedo, a beloved disciple of the great teacher. The narration takes place at Phlius, a town of Sicyon. The dialog takes the form of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis PhaedoSummary and Analysis Crito
Summary The Crito records the conversation that took place in the prison where Socrates was confined awaiting his execution. It is in the form of a dialog between Socrates and Crito, an elderly Athenian who for many years has been a devoted friend of Socrates and a firm believer in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis CritoSummary and Analysis Apology
Summary The Apology is believed to be the most authentic account that has been preserved of Socrates’ defense of himself as it was presented before the Athenian Council. It is in essential harmony with the references to the trial that occur in Plato’s other dialogs and also with the account […]
Read more Summary and Analysis ApologySummary and Analysis Euthyphro
Summary Plato’s dialog called Euthyphro relates a discussion that took place between Socrates and Euthyphro concerning the meaning of piety, or that virtue usually regarded as a manner of living that fulfills one’s duty both to gods and to humanity. It is of particular interest in relation to the fate […]
Read more Summary and Analysis EuthyphroAbout Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo
The philosophy of ancient Greece reached its highest level of achievement in the works of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The influence of these men on the culture of the Western world can scarcely be overestimated. Each of them made significant contributions to philosophy, and it would be difficult to determine […]
Read more About Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo