Book description
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.
As the father of Western philosophy, who transformed Greek thought
with his questioning insights into life and ethics, Socrates (470-399
bc) was a powerful inspiration - and major irritant - to the Athenians
of his day. After his trial and execution on charges of heresy and the
corruption of young minds, his greatest pupil Plato (c. 427-347 bc)
wrote these early dialogues as an act of homage.
Chris Emlyn-Jones teaches in the department of Classical Studies at
the Open University.
