What do you think?
Rate this book
Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Plato and the Trial of Socrates
Socrates is one of the most influential philosophers in western civilisation, and Plato his most famous pupil. The Euthyphro , Apology of Socrates , Crito and the death scene from the Phaedo are Plato's account of Socrates' trial and execution, and together they provide the most important depiction of Socrates' ideas.
In this GuideBook , Brickhouse and Smith provide clear explanations of these texts for students coming to them for the first time. Situating the works in their historical context, the authors carefully go through each text, exploring the philosophical issues raised in an accessible way.
Plato and the Trial of Socrates is the ideal introduction to both the ideas of Socrates and the work of Plato.
In this GuideBook , Brickhouse and Smith provide clear explanations of these texts for students coming to them for the first time. Situating the works in their historical context, the authors carefully go through each text, exploring the philosophical issues raised in an accessible way.
Plato and the Trial of Socrates is the ideal introduction to both the ideas of Socrates and the work of Plato.
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2004
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 21, 2021
To be recommended to new and seasoned readers of Plato. Clear and thorough analysis and explanation of the difficult passages in the text. Not too technical so no need to consult other books this guidebook.
Nothing better then to cite the final words of this wonderful book: ‘ Plato’s dialogues raise lots and lots of questions, and tantalize with answers that do not quite end up being complete or final ones, and so the questions never cease, and never seem quite to go away. If there is frustration in this, there is also a particularly human kind of happiness: the happiness of knowing that our enjoyment of a very enjoyable activity will never need to come to an end.’
Nothing better then to cite the final words of this wonderful book: ‘ Plato’s dialogues raise lots and lots of questions, and tantalize with answers that do not quite end up being complete or final ones, and so the questions never cease, and never seem quite to go away. If there is frustration in this, there is also a particularly human kind of happiness: the happiness of knowing that our enjoyment of a very enjoyable activity will never need to come to an end.’
Want to read
February 8, 2018Really enjoying the "Crito" chapter.
April 2, 2022
A relatively easy read. It would have been more so had it not been for the size of font and the general layout which made it feel like too much was crammed on each page.
Mostly pretty standard stuff and not technical; although I felt that it fell down quite heavily near the end, particularly the chapter on The Crito discussing the culpability of agents of authority for their participation in unjust acts.
Mostly pretty standard stuff and not technical; although I felt that it fell down quite heavily near the end, particularly the chapter on The Crito discussing the culpability of agents of authority for their participation in unjust acts.
February 21, 2021
Wonderful guidebook: lots of questions raised and answered
To be recommended to new and seasoned readers of Plato. Clear and thorough analysis and explanation of the difficult passages in the text. Not too technical so no need to consult other books this guidebook.
To be recommended to new and seasoned readers of Plato. Clear and thorough analysis and explanation of the difficult passages in the text. Not too technical so no need to consult other books this guidebook.
February 13, 2016
I just skimmed my way through this as to get an idea of what is there to know about the Trial of Socrates before finally reading it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews