Written sometime during the 4th century BC, "Symposium" is one the most poetic and sublime works by the Greek philosopher Plato. The action of the dialogue is set during a party hosted by the poet Agathon to celebrate his first victory in a dramatic competition. The title 'Symposium', or 'Banquet' refers to the setting of the work, however the more literal translation from the Greek is a 'drinking party.' At this party several notable figures from...

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...

Lysis” - is a dialogue by the ancient Greek philosopher and thinker Plato (427-347 B. C). This is one of Plato's early dialogues, in which Socrates, Lysis and Menexenus have a dispute in palaestra about friendship, about love, the aim of which is to put in the chosen one the good qualities and only through knowledge we get the love of the other people.

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...

“Gorgias” - is a dialogue by the ancient Greek philosopher and thinker Plato (427-347 B. C).this is a conversation between Socrates, Gorgias and Callicles and the other philosophers about the problems of ethics (when is it possible to endure the injustice), politics, the essence of rhetoric (the advantage of convincing speeches).

"Phaedrus, Apology, Crito, and Symposium": four works of the great ancient Greek philosopher Plato are brought together here in this volume. The Phaedrus is closely connected with the Symposium, and may be regarded either as introducing or following it. The two Dialogues together contain the whole philosophy of Plato on the nature of love. In the Apology we hear the response that Socrates gives in defense at his trial. And in Crito we have a dialogue...

Alcibiades was a notable figure in Ancient Greek history. Famed Athenian statesman, orator and general, he had a powerful impact on the political and military scene in Athens and Sparta, despite his difficult and tumultuous youth. Alcibiades was well-trained in the art of Rhetoric, and among his many renowned teachers was also Socrates, the philosopher, who taught Plato and had set the foundation of western philosophy as we know it today. Alcibiades...

Socrates was an enigmatic figure, he made no writings, and is known chiefly through the accounts of his students Plato and Xenophon. After Socrates was, accused of impiety against the pantheon of Athens and corruption of the youth and sentenced to death, his students stood up in his defense. In the unique form of Socratic dialogue both, Plato and Xenophon, defended the character and teachings of their teacher. The Life of Socrates Defenses of Socrates Defense...

"Apology" is the famous account of the trial of Socrates. Plato's dialogue presents the charges brought against Socrates by the people of Athens and lays out the arguments that the accused presented in his defense. Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth of the city with his radical ideas and of impiety against the pantheon of the Athenian gods, or more specifically, of not believing in the gods of the city and believing instead in no gods or...

These two dialogues by the greatest of the ancient Greek philosophers explore a vital concern of a democratic society: how to define the special abilities and qualities that make a genuine statesman. They further examine the distinction between an authentic statesman and the sophist, an individual who pretends to be a statesman but lacks the essential knowledge, personal qualities, and philosophical outlook. Written after Parmenides - in which the...