Xenophon's Memorabilia ("recollections") is his public defense of Socrates, but the title is notably silent about whether or not the recollections are exclusively of Socrates. The text is, instead, rife with the recollections by Xenophon on the Socratic, and therefore, the philosophic life. As an alternative, his shorter Socratic writing, the Apology of Socrates, is clear about who … Continue reading Socrates’s Desire to Die: On Xenophon’s Apology
plato
On the Theages
The Theages, now considered a spurious Platonic dialogue, mirrors the form but not the content of the Laches. Whereas in the Laches, the theme is of 'Courage", the theme of the Theages is of wisdom. Demodocus, perhaps the noted military man from Thucydides, is frantic and goes to visit Socrates. They speak in private at Socrates's "leisure" under the portico … Continue reading On the Theages
On the Authorship of Plato
Opening a Platonic dialogue shines new light on ancient wisdom, a needed art in our modern age of decadence and decay. In looking back, in order to understand the mind of the ancients, we must proceed cautiously and respectfully. We do not seek the vainglory of pain-loving antiquarianism, nor do we venture back as Robespierran … Continue reading On the Authorship of Plato
What is Law in the Minos
The Minos is the natural introduction to the Plato's Laws. It comes down to us as a dialogue which is Platonic. It is the natural partner to the Hipparchus: both of which are performed, take place between Socrates and an unnamed comrade, and conclude in an ascent beyond the common opinions of the Athenians. In both dialogues, unusually, the … Continue reading What is Law in the Minos
Timaeus and the Likely Story
The Timaeus is the strangest dialogue in the Platonic corpus. It begins, appropriately, in counting. Socrates counts "one, two, three..." but notes there is a missing fourth person. Timaeus informs Socrates that the missing fourth person has fallen ill but otherwise would be there. Yesterday, Socrates had treated four men to an account of his conversation … Continue reading Timaeus and the Likely Story
Plato’s Republic, Book X: The Poets and the Myth of Er
The final book of Plato's Republic begins with Socrates returning to the question of banishing the poets that was first addressed in Book III. Book X is perhaps the most vexing and troubling book in the Republic. Book X serves as a kind of epilogue, an afterward to the main text. The question of justice … Continue reading Plato’s Republic, Book X: The Poets and the Myth of Er
