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Ukemi's Socratic Dialogues
The Socratic Dialogues Early Period, Volume 2: Gorgias, Protagoras, Meno, Euthydemus, Lesser Hippias, Greater Hippias
Here, in this second collection of Socratic Dialogues from Plato's Early Period, read by David Rintoul as Socrates with a full cast, are contrasting six works. Often, as with Gorgias, which opens the recording, Socrates combats the popular subjects of sophistry and rhetoric, in direct conversation with Gorgias (a leading sophist teacher), and with one of his pupils, Callicles.
In Meno, Socrates encounters another Gorgias pupil, Meno, and a debate on 'virtue' ensues. Virtue is also the topic in Protagoras, though this dialogue is largely narrated by Socrates (David Rintoul), who 'reports' the conversation which had taken place shortly before.
Euthydemus is one of the most entertaining of all the Socratic Dialogues, with the two vastly overconfident brothers Euthydemus and Dionysodorus, supposedly capable wrestlers, boxers and musicians, who have come to Athens to teach sophistry. They enter into philosophical debate with Socrates, who at times is almost amazed by their brash sense of superiority.
The Lesser Hippias dialogue considers issues of morality, truth and lies, with reference to Homer's great characters Achilles and Odysseus, while the Greater Hippias enquires into the nature of beauty.
Benjamin Jowett.
In Meno, Socrates encounters another Gorgias pupil, Meno, and a debate on 'virtue' ensues. Virtue is also the topic in Protagoras, though this dialogue is largely narrated by Socrates (David Rintoul), who 'reports' the conversation which had taken place shortly before.
Euthydemus is one of the most entertaining of all the Socratic Dialogues, with the two vastly overconfident brothers Euthydemus and Dionysodorus, supposedly capable wrestlers, boxers and musicians, who have come to Athens to teach sophistry. They enter into philosophical debate with Socrates, who at times is almost amazed by their brash sense of superiority.
The Lesser Hippias dialogue considers issues of morality, truth and lies, with reference to Homer's great characters Achilles and Odysseus, while the Greater Hippias enquires into the nature of beauty.
Benjamin Jowett.
- GenresPhilosophy
Audiobook
Published November 6, 2017
4 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Plato
5,322 books8,691 followersPlato (Greek: Πλάτων), born Aristocles (c. 427 – 348 BC), was an ancient Greek philosopher of the Classical period who is considered a foundational thinker in Western philosophy and an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms. He raised problems for what became all the major areas of both theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy, and was the founder of the Platonic Academy, a philosophical school in Athens where Plato taught the doctrines that would later become known as Platonism.
Plato's most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas), which has been interpreted as advancing a solution to what is now known as the problem of universals. He was decisively influenced by the pre-Socratic thinkers Pythagoras, Heraclitus, and Parmenides, although much of what is known about them is derived from Plato himself.
Along with his teacher Socrates, and Aristotle, his student, Plato is a central figure in the history of philosophy. Plato's entire body of work is believed to have survived intact for over 2,400 years—unlike that of nearly all of his contemporaries. Although their popularity has fluctuated, they have consistently been read and studied through the ages. Through Neoplatonism, he also greatly influenced both Christian and Islamic philosophy. In modern times, Alfred North Whitehead famously said: "the safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato."
Plato's most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas), which has been interpreted as advancing a solution to what is now known as the problem of universals. He was decisively influenced by the pre-Socratic thinkers Pythagoras, Heraclitus, and Parmenides, although much of what is known about them is derived from Plato himself.
Along with his teacher Socrates, and Aristotle, his student, Plato is a central figure in the history of philosophy. Plato's entire body of work is believed to have survived intact for over 2,400 years—unlike that of nearly all of his contemporaries. Although their popularity has fluctuated, they have consistently been read and studied through the ages. Through Neoplatonism, he also greatly influenced both Christian and Islamic philosophy. In modern times, Alfred North Whitehead famously said: "the safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato."
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 18, 2023
An absolutely perfect audiobook rendition of these Platonic dialogues. There are so many version out there and this is far and away the best we've encountered. David Rintoul is a flawless reader, and his supporting cast is great as well. Thoroughly digestible and enjoyable rendition of some essential texts such as the Gorgias.
October 27, 2025
While these may not be my favorite Platonic dialogs they are well read/voiced and enjoyably presented.
May 21, 2020
Once again, Plato provides much to think about in these works.
Gorgias and Protagoras are two of my favorite dialogues critiquing at length) sophistry and rhetoric. As in many works of Plato's early period these dialogues end unresolved.
Meno presents Plato's epistemological theory that knowledge is remembrance and lives us a hint of the theory of the forms which is developed in greater detail in the Republic.
Euthydemus is a very humorous work, in which Socrates and a number of other onlookers listen to Euthydemus and his brother Dionysodorus display their skills of sophistry which consist mainly of (not-so-clever) word play. They come across as kind of Beavis and Butthead of ancient Greece in Plato's work.
Lesser Hippias is a dialogue between Socrates and the sophist Hippias regarding the Homeric heroes Odysseus and Achilles and the nature of lying. I find this line of though particularly interesting that the person who is proficient or good can is inherently better at emulating the unproficient or unskillful person. This argument is also picked up in the Republic.
The Greater Hippias involves a dialogue again with the sophist of that name involving the nature of beauty. Several popular theories are brought up and shown to be lacking.
Having these dialogues acted out adds another level to enjoying and understanding these works.
Gorgias and Protagoras are two of my favorite dialogues critiquing at length) sophistry and rhetoric. As in many works of Plato's early period these dialogues end unresolved.
Meno presents Plato's epistemological theory that knowledge is remembrance and lives us a hint of the theory of the forms which is developed in greater detail in the Republic.
Euthydemus is a very humorous work, in which Socrates and a number of other onlookers listen to Euthydemus and his brother Dionysodorus display their skills of sophistry which consist mainly of (not-so-clever) word play. They come across as kind of Beavis and Butthead of ancient Greece in Plato's work.
Lesser Hippias is a dialogue between Socrates and the sophist Hippias regarding the Homeric heroes Odysseus and Achilles and the nature of lying. I find this line of though particularly interesting that the person who is proficient or good can is inherently better at emulating the unproficient or unskillful person. This argument is also picked up in the Republic.
The Greater Hippias involves a dialogue again with the sophist of that name involving the nature of beauty. Several popular theories are brought up and shown to be lacking.
Having these dialogues acted out adds another level to enjoying and understanding these works.
May 3, 2019
13 Dec 2018. GREATER HIPPIAS, once again a fine performance, which (from a few stray remarks in each dialogue) I think should be read before LESSER HIPPIAS. The subject is the universals, particularly Beauty. Interesting connections to the final part of Diotima’s teaching in the SYMPOSIUM.
12 Dec 2018. LESSER HIPPIAS, also humorous and very well acted, but disappointing in terms of dialectic, for the inquiry is rendered moot by lack of attention to the will (as opposed to reason).
6-11 Dec 2018. EUTHYDEMUS, humorous and pointed and well acted. Clear and unforgettable presentation of equivocation.
4-5 Dec 2018. MENO, another fine production. Four actors.
Nov 2018. PROTAGORAS, another good production (single actor). My first time reading this dialogue, and the drama is fascinating. Leads naturally into MENO.
10-15 Oct 2018. GORGIAS, a fine production. As in my previous reading of this dialogue, it keeps going longer than I supposed.
12 Dec 2018. LESSER HIPPIAS, also humorous and very well acted, but disappointing in terms of dialectic, for the inquiry is rendered moot by lack of attention to the will (as opposed to reason).
6-11 Dec 2018. EUTHYDEMUS, humorous and pointed and well acted. Clear and unforgettable presentation of equivocation.
4-5 Dec 2018. MENO, another fine production. Four actors.
Nov 2018. PROTAGORAS, another good production (single actor). My first time reading this dialogue, and the drama is fascinating. Leads naturally into MENO.
10-15 Oct 2018. GORGIAS, a fine production. As in my previous reading of this dialogue, it keeps going longer than I supposed.
August 16, 2023
Wonderful performances of the dialogues that capture a lot of the annoyance felt by a wide cast of characters interrogated by Socrates. It all feels more organic and by the seat of his pants, than you might get from the text itself or (even less so) from summaries of the ideas presented. While Socrates is always annoying people, pressing an argument toward a conclusion, clearly tricking and deceiving the wise men he looks down on in the dialogues, it doesn't feel scripted in the way people who maintain these were fictionalized dialogues maintain.
January 20, 2025
As with the previous volume, an absolutely superb recording — David Rintoul delivers an incredible performance of Socrates in these dialogues. Some of the dialogues themselves in this volume are tiresome or frustrating — Gorgias in particular is long, repetitive, and vituperative — but one senses in many places, and especially in Meno (the least sarcastic and showboating version of Socrates in this group), the larger Platonic philosophical vision hoving into view in at least dim focus. May write up some more reflections later.
November 13, 2022
honestly pretty good, i only listened to the gorgias chapter and it was simply good. Socrates is having a very good laugh while discussing with everyone and also it's very nice to have a whole cast to voice every person. Very interesting topics too. :)
January 27, 2021
The best listening are the ones with a full cast, rather than where Socrates is recounting a conversation to one other individual. Thoroughly enjoyable listen!
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August 20, 2020(tr. Benjamin Jowlett)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews