Plato's Apology of Socrates: A Literary and Philosophical Study with a Running Commentary. Edited and Completed from the Papers of the Late E. de Strycker, S.J.

by S R Slings

There have been many recent studies on the Apology . This book differs from them in that it attempts a synthesis of philosophical and literary approaches. A great deal of attention is paid to the philosophical and religious views that are present--often implicitly--in the text; they are much closer to the philosophy of Plato's main works than is usually assumed. But the Apology is also analysed as a rhetorical its close relationship with fourth-century rhetorical theory and practice is highlighted.
The analyses of the various parts of the speech are followed by a detailed line-by-line commentary.
The work was started by E. de Strycker, S.J.; after his death, it was revised and completed by S.R. Slings.

Leather Bound

Published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[CMB]

Slings is absurdly thorough. I picked up this commentary primarily to find a treatment of Socrates' view of death and the afterlife in the 'Apology,' and--even though I've yet to fully subscribe to Slings' conclusion--this is the single best coverage of the topic I've come across. Neither the work of Miller & Platter, West, Vlastos, Morrison, Kahn, or any other scholar I've investigated explores this particular topic in such depth. Impressive commentary thus far.