Customer Reviews

Plato: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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, it is a sort of mini-dialogue in itself touching on and in several ways tying up classic Socrates/Plato themes like the nature of piety and goodness, responsibility toward the gods and the state, interpersonal relations, and life vs. death issues. It sums up Socrates and perhaps Plato better than any other work.

"Crito" is a possibly partly historical account of the title character visiting Socrates in jail to inform him that he is able to escape via bribe; Socrates famously says that he accepts his sentence and argues down contrary pleas. This gives incredible potential insight into Socrates, in many ways telling us more about his character and thought than a full biography ever could. Again, though, it transcends this philosophically and otherwise and is particularly relevant politically. It also examines the law/conscience gap and gives further background on Socrates but is notable above all as a very early example of the social contract theory of government. This is an astonishing example of how advanced Plato was, as the theory is generally considered to have been founded by Thomas Hobbes nearly a millennium later. Even more amazingly, it is put forth more clearly and persuasively here than perhaps anywhere else, making the dialogue essential for anyone interested in political theory.

The ever-important translation issue must also be kept in mind. It goes without saying that anyone who cares about intellectual issues, especially applied ones, must know Plato, as should anyone who wants to be even basically well-read. However, this is far easier said than done for most; he is so different from what now passes for literature, to say nothing of pop culture, that he is virtually inaccessible to general readers. Yet the importance of persevering cannot be overemphasized; the payoff is well worth the effort. As nearly always in such cases, reading him becomes far easier after the initial difficulty; no attentive reader will ever think Plato easy reading, but he is utterly absorbing once we get used to his style. He has a near-poetic beauty that all agree has never even been remotely approached in philosophy, and such mesmerizing prose is rare in any genre. His dialogues are an incredible form at once intellectually and aesthetically pleasing - an inspired combination that has perhaps never been bettered; many have appropriated it, but none have matched it. All this means that picking the right translation is probably more important with Plato than any other writer. For the average reader, the more recent, the better is generally true, though older translations like W. H. D. Rouse's and Benjamin Jowett's are still very accessible. The important thing is to read Plato in some form, and those who happen on a translation that does not work for them should keep trying until their mind opens in a truly new way - and once done, it will never close again.

This may not be a long book, only about 100 pages. it is great and a very thought provoking book on life and how to disciple those you care for most.

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.

Socrates in "Apology" is not merely a character or invention of Plato, his words are the words of wisdom passed from Socrates the teacher and interpreted by one of his most loyal students, Plato.

Whether the ideas discussed in "Apology" belong to Socrates the teacher or Socrates the character, i. e Plato; "Apology", a defense of Socrates, his teacher, remains one of the most emotionally touching pieces written by Plato. We can speculate that is the reason it was written in the form of lectures instead dialogues Plato typically used.
"Apology" is Plato's version of Socrates' speech in which he defended himself against the charge of being a non believer in the Gods and a corrupting influence on the young students of Athens. Apology (apologia in Greek) doesn't mean in any way showing remorse or regret, rather it is a defense of Socrates' beliefs and actions.

Anytus, Meletus, and Lycon are the main accusers of Socrates, the simple humble man who lived a life of inquiry and search of wisdom. Socrates, the man of irony, whose greatest wisdom originated from his ironic confession of ignorance smiles while receiving his veridct.

Propably, the most graceful part is when Socrates talks about why we shouldn't fear death, the one thing that only a God would know where it takes us.

Plato's Apology is a timeless master piece that is the most reliable source of information about the ideas, values, life and legacy of Socrates as seen through his student Plato.

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.