Tag Archives: Plato

So Socrates is dead.  What wisdom I gleaned about man’s immortal soul from this dialogue helps somewhat, in that Socrates’ belief in the life of the soul, the intellect of man as an everlasting existence can be reasoned out to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Had to put it down for a bit, but got into Phaedo again and am glad to see that Simmias and Cebes aren’t falling for the total picture of the life of a soul according to Socrates either. Simmias brings … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Well I’m not really finding any solid answers to the question of life, death, body and soul as I’d hope to easily accept in Plato’s Phaedo.  While it is very clear (as is Plato’s way) in explanation, I think that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Surrounded by at least fifteen friends, Socrates is in his final hours before he sips his aperitif of hemlock.  He explains the viewpoint of the philosopher, who understands that the soul’s departure from the body is considered then unfettered by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Glad I read this short dialogue between Socrates and Criton.  Basically, Socrates is in prison, doomed to die and planning to commit suicide the next day.  His friend begs him to reconsider, pointing out friends and family who care about … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It seems a plan of sorts, that as I delve into further study and love of philosophical works they appear to be so perfectly attuned to what is happening in my personal life just as I read them.  But of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

While I cannot say that I have understood all the lessons put forth on speaking, writing, and love of both man and philosophy in this first complete reading of Phaedrus, I am interested in both the arguments used for the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Socrates. "The disgrace begins when a man writes not well, but badly." Hmmm.  If I take little else from Phaedrus, this statement shall live with me the rest of my days. Not the best time to hear it, as my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I must admit that Phaedrus is not easily read.  There are many different concepts going on, and I get the feeling that they are not clearly defining merely love, and at that, not merely love of man (or woman), but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It is difficult to get through this without discussion, and I find myself questioning my thoughts as I have only myself with whom to argue.  This, of course, despite the best intentions and efforts at playing Devil’s Advocate taints somehow … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This is what I’m up against: "Now, the beginning is unbegotten, for that which is begotten has a beginning; but the beginning is begotten of nothing, for if it were begotten of something, then the begotten would not come from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

In his comment to a prior post, Mark brings up what I have been purposely avoiding, or justifying on terms meant to allow the reading to apply to modern times and society. There is no denying that in Symposium and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

From Socrates’ opening speech, we catch a glimmer of the selfishness of love: "He who is the victim of his passions and the slave of pleasure will of course desire to make his beloved as agreeable to himself as possible. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Something about the style of Plato’s essays, his use of what was common then, the play and interaction of the actors, permits a wonderful sense of realism to his lectures. Phaedr: Now, Socrates, what do you think? Is not the … Continue reading → Continue reading →