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Introduction to Plato ’ s Dialogues

Introduction to Plato ’ s Dialogues. Ancient Philosophy. Early Dialogues. Plato’s early dialogues represent more accurately Socrates’ views. They are said to describe the historical Socrates. Early Dialogues. Apology Charmides Crito Euthyphro Gorgias Hippias Minor Ion Laches

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Introduction to Plato ’ s Dialogues

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  1. Introduction to Plato’s Dialogues Ancient Philosophy

  2. Early Dialogues • Plato’s early dialogues represent more accurately Socrates’ views. • They are said to describe the historical Socrates.

  3. Early Dialogues • Apology • Charmides • Crito • Euthyphro • Gorgias • Hippias Minor • Ion • Laches • Protagoras

  4. Characteristics of Early Dialogues • The two most important philosophical characteristics are (1) Socrates’ focuses on ethical issues and on questions about how to live one’s life; and (2) Socrates’ skepticisms.

  5. Ethics • The early dialogues represent Socrates as mostly interested in the practical issue of living life. • It portrays a Socrates concerned with ethics, values and morality. • There are no epistemology (theories of knowledge) or metaphysical (theories of reality) views discussed or proposed in these dialogues.

  6. Skeptical Socrates • In the early dialogues, Socrates never seems to resolve the philosophical issues under discussion. • He begins not knowing and ends without a a comprehensive theory or view of the philosophical issue.

  7. Early Middle Dialogues • Meno (transitional dialogue) • Phaedo • Euthydemus • Hippias Major • Lysis • Menexenus • Republic (Book I)

  8. Characteristics and Differences • In the middle dialogues we see Socrates’s philosophical scope increase as he begins to discuss issues concerning knowledge (theory of recollection), reality (theory of eidos), political theory, art, etc. • In addition to the scope we find more comprehensive and systematic philosophical theories that resolve and explain things in the way that the Socratic dialogues did not.

  9. The Role of Socrates • Plato continues to use Socrates as his main interlocutor. • There is also a continuation of Socrates’ thoughts and inquiries so that one will not find an abrupt change or shift in that noticeable in the middle dialogues.

  10. The Role of Plato • However, scholars argue that there is a more complete and speculative outlook on philosophical views concerning topics that are not present in the early dialogues. • It is as if Plato is continuing the thought process of Socrates by filling in with philosophical theories the questions and inquiries that Socrates began.

  11. Mature Plato: Late Middle Dialogues • In the Meno and Phaedo Plato’s thought was not yet mature. • Symposium • Republic • Parmenides • Theatetus • Phaedrus

  12. Late Dialogues • Sophist • Statesmen (Politicus) • Philebus • Laws

  13. The Republic • Book I – Socratic • Book II… Plato • Epistemology, metaphysis, ethics, psychology, political-social philosophy, philosophy of art, philosophy of education, etc.

  14. Plato’s Metaphysics • Parmenides • Sophist

  15. Plato’s Epistemology • Theaetetus

  16. The Forms • Timaeus

  17. How to live one’s life • Philebus

  18. Institutions for a good political community • Laws

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