Defence of Socrates, Euthyphro, Crito

by Plato

Book Overview

These new translations of the Defence of Socrates, the Euthyphro, and the Crito present Plato's remarkable dramatizations of the momentous events surrounding the trial of Socrates in 399 BC, on charges of irreligion and corrupting the young. They form a dramatic and thematic sequence, raising fundamental questions about the basis of moral, religious, legal, and political obligation. The Introduction provides a stimulating philosophical and historical...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199540500
• ISBN13: 9780199540501
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Good Collection but Not the Best

This magnificent compilation has three Plato writings: "Euthyphro," "Apology," and "Crito." Though apparently early works and not as complex or philosophically influential as later ones, they are immensely important in portraying Socrates' trial. Unfortunately, this collection does not have "Phaedo," which shows Socrates' actual death and is the most important of the related works philosophically. The works here are very worthwhile, but it makes little sense to read them without "Phaedo," which is available in many collections, e.g., The Trial and Death of Socrates. "Euthyphro" is the least important work philosophically and probably not meant as historical, but it is still worthwhile. It examines the important "What is piety?" question and, like many Platonic dialogues, does not have anything like a definite conclusion. Some find this aspect frustrating, and it is certainly beguiling, but those who have experience with it come to love it. Like Socrates, Plato is after all too intelligent to give hard and fast answers; in all likelihood, he knows there are not any. What he does is far more important - lead us to think for ourselves and come to our own conclusions if we can. "Euthyphro" is a good, if relatively minor, example. It also introduces what philosophers call the Euthyphro Problem; here it is "Are good things good because they are loved by the gods, or are they loved by the gods because they are good?," but it has been restated in innumerable forms. This is in some ways an unrepresentative dialogue and thus an unfortunate one to begin the book, because it seems to prove the stereotype that philosophy obsesses over inane, probably unanswerable questions of no practical use. The Euthyphro Problem seems truly asinine as given - or, in our post-postmodern world, simply irrelevant. However, we can begin to see its importance when we replace "good" and "loved by the gods" with whatever seems most pressing. Such is after all the kind of thing Plato wanted; we are not supposed to read in narrow literal terms but use him as a starting point for our path to wisdom. This is an instructive example of how Plato has been immensely influential far beyond his apparent significance. "Apology" is Plato's least philosophical and most unrepresentative work but arguably his most important and is among many readers' favorites, including mine. The book's title is misleading in that this is prose rather than dialogue; it purports to be Socrates' self-defense at his trial. It is historically priceless if so, as it gives his last public statements and some background about his life and the lead up to the trial. Even if not, it is of immense worth as a passionate, sound defense of individualism and free speech; its timeless evocation of these all-important concepts is forever associated with Socrates and the main reason he has been immortalized. The work also piercingly examines the often vast law/conscience gap and is thus an early higher law document. Finally,

Very entertaining

This is a blast to read. It is an extremely fast read partly because the translation is very clear. Listening to the arguments Socrates makes (through the words of Plato) is a lot of fun. The purity of his mind is so refreshing! Take the time to read this book! You won't regret it.

perfect condition...fast shipping....very happy!!

A most excellent resource for anyone interested in not only studying rhetoric, but seeing shining examples!

Touchstones of philosophy

This slim volume collects Plato's dialogues that concern the death of Socrates. In "Euthyphro," Socrates engages the title character in a discussion on the nature of piety on his way to address the Senate. "Apology" is his powerful defense against charges of corrupting the youth of Athens. In "Crito," he explains to friends who would arrange his escape that, having benefited from the laws of the state in the past, he cannot violate them now simply because they inconvenience him. Obviously, these dialogues hold interest for anyone with an interest in the history of Western thought. I was also struck by the drama and humor in F.J. Church's translation. Socrates comes across as a brilliant iconoclast whose self-characterization as an ignorant seeker just trying to get at the truth by cross-examining anyone unfortunate enough to encounter him seems a bit disingenuous and understandably infuriating to the men who would one day condemn him to death. A telling (and funny) line from "Apology" reveals that Socrates was often shadowed by crowds of young men who delighted in his skewering of those complacent enough to think themselves wise.

Good for beginners.

For teachers looking for something between a comprehensive collection of the dialogues and a photocopied hand-out, this little edition nicely fits the bill. It's an extremely user-friendly translation with a generous introduction and copious but clear and concise endnotes. The editor admittedly errors on the side of verbosity in the introduction, going to excessive (not to mention gratuitous) lengths to argue that the "Crito" is not inconsistent with the "Apology." Also, rather than substituting "defense" for "apology" and " goodness" for "virtue," he might have accomplished the goal of a clear and accessible edition by giving the reader a bit more credit. Finally, many instructors and readers would understandably be forgiven if they shunned this edition because of its omission of the "Phaedo," the final chapter in the trial, sentencing, and punishment of Socrates.